Winery
of the Week: Round Pond - Rutherford
At
Round Pond, they strive to showcase the best
of their Napa Valley estate vineyards, with a special focus
on the vines in the Rutherford appellation, an area revered
by wine lovers around the world for the Cabernet and other Bordeaux
varieties grown there. And when you taste any of these offerings
from Round Pond, we're sure you'll understand
why.
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Round
Pond 2012 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Round Pond
Grape(s): 86% Cabernet, 9% Petit Verdot,
& 5% Malbec
Region: Rutherford, Napa Valley
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 55-60
Review:
Aromas of blackberries, plums, and black cherries unfold
into nuances of toasty oak, vanilla, and dusty earth on
the nose. A sip reveals flavors of cherry, plum, and blackberry
that meld with suggestions of vanilla bean, dark chocolate,
and minerals. Lush and nicely structured, luxuriate in
a glass now or let it develop in the cellar. It's a win
either way.
Rating: 93 |
|
Round
Pond 2012 Rutherford Proprietary Red Blend
Winery:
Round Pond
Grape(s): 46% Cabernet, 24% Malbec, 20%
Petit Verdot, and 10% Petite Sirah
Region: Rutherford, Napa Valley
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 75-80
Review:
Fragrances of blackberries, plums, and blueberries are
accented by notes of earth, dark chocolate, and violets
on the nose. Flavors of bramble fruit, blueberry, and
cherry come together with nuances of minerals, mocha,
and toasty vanilla on the palate. A rich, dark red with
supple tannins, open a bottle with spaghetti and meat
balls in a fresh tomato sauce.
Rating: 92 |
|
Round
Pond 2014 Rutherford Sauvignon Blanc
Winery:
Round Pond
Grape(s): 00% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Rutherford, Napa Valley
Year:
2014
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 20-25
Review:
A bouquet of citrus fruits, honeydew, peach, and candied
nuts rises up from a glass. The palate delivers flavors
of melon, ruby red grapefruit, and white peach along with
highlights of minerals, custard, and dried pineapple.
Bright with opulent fruit flavors and a food friendly
pop of minerality, pair it with fresh swordfish from the
grill.
Rating: 90 |
|
Round
Pond 2013 "Kith & Kin" Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Round Pond
Grape(s): 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12%
Petit Verdot, & 5% Petite Sirah
Region: Napa Valley, Ca (Rutherford &
neighboring appellations)
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
Red currants, blackberries, and raspberries mingle with
inklings of toasty oak, spring flowers, and sweet spice
on the nose. With a sip, flavors of blackberry, cherry,
and plum flow into allusions of floral earth, barrel spice,
and toasted vanilla. Perhaps more subtle than one might
expect from a Cab, but supple and floral elements make
it a very inviting wine.
Rating: 90 |
Note:
Wines rated with a "+" have not yet reached their
peak quality but will do so over the next few years
By
Jason Barlow
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
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