You need to upgrade your Flash Player This is replaced by the Flash content. Place your alternate content here and users without the Flash plugin or with Javascript turned off will see this. Content here allows you to leave out noscript tags. Include a link to bypass the detection if you wish.

Scoping out ROUND POND   07 CABERNET SAUVIGNON - RUTHERFORD, NAPA VALLEY SHOULD BE $50.95 - NOW $47.95 OR $44.84 ON 6+ BOTTLES WS 94 POINTS     Situated in the heart of Rutherford-Napa Valley since the early 1980s, Round Pond Estate has grown to 350 acres of vineyard, and sold most of its premium winegrapes to neighboring wineries.  Beginning with the establishment of the winery in 2005, only 2% of the harvest has been specifically selected to produce wines under the Round Pond Estate label.    Dear Wine Friend!,   We poured Round Pond's 07 Cabernet Sauvignon at the tasting bar last Saturday.  After following its evolution most of the afternoon, and honestly, being somewhat underwhelmed by the wine during its first two hours of airing (sweet vanillin oak dominated early aromas, and a shallow mid-palate needed to fill out with some umpf).... THEN being startled as the wine suddenly began morphing into a much richer wine, with a redolent nose amplifying a complex pool of ruby-purple cassis fruit, and a deep swath of cocoa tinged berry flavors, all punctuated by some good old fashioned tannins on the growing finish.  Got me to say YOWSER!    Again, lesson learned is not to prejudge a young wine so quickly!     So then, Renee and I already had plans to be in Napa Valley for a few days, so we made an appointment visit Round Pond for a retaste.  Intriguing, since Round Pond sells most of its Rutherford grapes to neighbors who produce and market more expensive wines than this $50.95 a bottle Cabernet Sauvignon.    Make no mistake about it.  Round Pond is doing everything first class!  But to enjoy a hospitality tour, tasting and cuisine pairing by the winery's chef Hannah Bauman, you must reserve an appointment time ($25 per person).  The estate also produces excellent olive oils, vinegars, and citrus fruit macerated syrups.    The winemaking team is led by UC Davis enology/viticulture graduate Brian Brown (Iron Horse, Trefethen, Vineyard 29), with consulting winemaker  Thomas Brown (Turley estate, currently Schrader, Maybach, Outpost, and his own project Rivers-Marie).      The setting is kind of Caribbean cabana meets lush vines!  On the winery's gorgeous veranda, we enjoyed tasting the current 09 Sauvignon Blanc, and the 06 Round Pond Cabernet Sauvignon (bolstered by a little Syrah), but again, the 07 Cabernet Sauvignon (3% Petit Verdot) stole the show.  And, the winery was smart enough to pour from a 3/4 full bottle that had been opened the previous afternoon.  That's the trick! if you want to be truly impressed with the excellent potential of this rich, well balanced, young wine, then let it breathe.  Expect it to age nicely for 10 to 12 years.       RATING!    Made the Wine Spectator Insider "Hot Wines" list and received 94 points. · Wine Spectator Review: "A tremendous effort, dense and chewy, robust and concentrated with a rich, focused core of blackberry, currant, cedar, herb and mineral. Full-bodied, gaining depth and persistence. Drink now through 2018." -J.L.     SHOULD BE $50.95   ORDER NOW AT $47.95 A BOTTLE   OR   PURCHASE 6+ @ $44.84 PER BOTTLE                                                                                  Just reply directly to this email to order.   All orders will receive confirmation invoice by reply email.   TRAVEL TIPS - NAPA VALLEY   Weekend Getaway Series - Part 3   We always like to provide travel tips, especially regarding destination wine regions such as Napa Valley.  If you were not aware, the city of Napa is experiencing a renaissance of outstanding new restaurants and places to stay.  As a change of pace, we recommend using the new revitalized downtown area as your base camp with easy access to both Highway 29 and Silverado Trail for your wine tasting adventures.     AVIA HOTEL   Excellent service, modern with terrific amenities!  Walkable to everything.     OENOTRI  Has become one of our new favorites anywhere for house cured salumi, pizza, and pasta!  Curtis and Tyler are amazing young chef-owners!      MORIMOTO NAPA Just opened!  Iron Chef Morimoto is in the house!   ALSO -    Sweetie Pies Coffee and morning or afternoon pastry!   Angele French bistro!  Outside terrace on the river for Sunday brunch!   Zuzu Most authentic Spanish tapas bar we seen!    OXBOW PUBLIC MARKET Epicurean Disneland!  So many great choices!       SATURDAY - AUGUST 14TH TASTING BAR LINEUP -----------------------------------    PLEASE NOTE! THE STORE WILL BE CLOSED    FROM AUGUST 15TH THRU AUGUST 18TH.            Eric Stumpf Renee Kroeger 8039 Greenback Lane Citrus Heights, CA  95610 (916) 721-WINE (9463) www.TheWineConsultant.com

Forward email This email was sent to webnewsletter@thewineconsultant.com by info@thewineconsultant.com. Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Email Marketing by The Wine Consultant | 8039 Greenback Lane | Citrus Heights | CA | 95610