The Merlot-dominated wine in the lineup is the 2017 The Tempest and it's a beauty in the vintage, offering a saturated purple hue as well as classy notes of blackberries, black cherries, licorice, crushed violets, barbecue smoke, and hints of espresso roast. It's deep, full-bodied, has stunning purity of fruit, no hard edges, and the purity and balance that's become the hallmark of this estate.

The 2017 The Tempest is composed of 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. Vineyard sources include the Realm Stags Leap District estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot along with Merlot from Orchard vineyard, Fortuna vineyard and Blair vineyard. Deep garnet-purple colored, it charges out of the gate with bold blueberry pie, black cherries and mulberries scents plus hints of chocolate box, menthol and violets. Full-bodied, rich and decadent, the fragrant black fruit core has lovely freshness with silken tannins, finishing very long and so perfumed.