2015 Round Pond Estate Gravel Series Scholar's Gate Cabernet Sauvignon

Round Pond Estate was established in the early 1980s when Bob and Jan MacDonnell bought their first parcel of Rutherford land. For nearly two decades the MacDonnells grew grapes for premium wine producers in Napa. But with the 2002 vintage they started making their own wine under the Round Pond label. Today the estate is run by the MacDonnell’s children, the brother-and-sister team of Miles and Ryan. Muiris Griffin is estate winemaker, and the consulting winemaker is Thomas Rivers Brown, one of Napa Valley’s stars. Besides wine, the estate also makes olive oil, red wine vinegar and other select items. Round Pond makes primarily Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc.

Rutherford AVA is just north of the Oakville AVA in the heart of Napa Valley, and it is equally distinguished. It is home to Beaulieu Vineyard and inglenook, arguably Napa Valley’s most historically influential wineries. Inglenook started making in wine in the late 19th century, and Beaulieu Vineyards was producing by the first years of the 20th century. BV founder Georges de Latour is particularly esteemed for having recruited Andre Tchelistcheff, a renowned research oenologist, to move from France to Napa Valley in 1938 and run BV’s winemaking. The legendary Tchelistcheff brought European winemaking techniques to Napa Valley and vastly improved wine quality. Other Rutherford winemakers followed his lead. Today there are 5,000 vineyard acres in Rutherford and many acclaimed producers. The famous Silverado Trail with its exclusive, limited production wineries, runs partly through Rutherford AVA. Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignons are characterized by supple tannins, richness, notes of cherry and plum, depth and the ability to age for several decades. Besides Cabernet Sauvignon the AVA also grows Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel. It received its AVA designation in 1994.

One of the most widely grown grape varieties, it can be found in nearly every wine growing region. A cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a hardy vine that produces a full-bodied wine with high tannins and great aging potential.