The Bard comes from a winery that has become a modern benchmark in Napa. Realm built its reputation on extraordinary vineyard access and wines largely offered through member allocations. The Bard is the winery’s flagship Cabernet blend and its self-described “calling card.” James Suckling gave the 2022 96 points. Much of Realm’s ascent runs through Benoit Touquette, who joined in 2011 after working with Andy Erickson at Screaming Eagle, Ovid, and Dalla Valle. He became the driving force behind Realm’s wines. The Bard draws from Blair, Houyi, Beckstoffer To Kalon, Moonracer Estate, Farella Estate, and Bettinelli Upper Range. The 2022 blends Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, and a touch of Charbono. Realm gave the vintage its most aggressive sorting ever. That selectivity is why The Bard has become one of Realm's defining wines.