The Gravel Series ‘Secret Garden’ Cabernet Sauvignon showcases tremendously rich, concentrated flavors, a supple tannin structure, ripe red-fruited aromas, and bright acidity.
“Round Pond wines, among the best of the 2022 vintage, continually stand out thanks to their well-positioned vineyards. These wines are a testament to their mastery, yielding exceptional color, tannin, and structure.”
– Thomas Rivers Brown, Consulting Winemaker
“… laced with dark cherry, plum, gravel, incense, bittersweet chocolate, licorice and crushed rocks. It offers very good depth along with a good deal of mineral complexity, all in the softer style of the year…”
– 93 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Tasting Notes
Opening floral aromas of violet, lavender, and rose petal mingle with a luscious dark fruit note and a hint of dried herbs. Enticing flavors of black cherry, blackberry, and plum spread across the palate with a lingering note of cocoa and oak. Well-structured with smooth & supple tannins, this dynamic wine will continue to age for the next 20+ years.
Technical Information
Winemaker: Thomas Rivers Brown & Jeff Plant
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Source: Block 11B, Southeast portion of the Rutherford Estate
Aging: 20 months in 85% new French oak
Production: 10 barrels
Vintage Notes
The 2022 vintage was the third in a string of drought years. Despite the drought, there was well-timed spring rain that boosted the vines’ vigor allowing for nicely established canopies for both shade and photosynthesis. The weather remained relatively mild and even, with routine fog patterns cooling nighttime and morning temperatures. At Labor Day, a significant heat wave impacted the entire Western States. At Round Pond, we sustained some heat damage but mostly came out unscathed thanks to our healthy vine canopies and overhead sprinklers. Round Pond’s “California sprawl” trellis systems provide excellent vine balance and diverse sun exposures.
Vineyard Notes | Block 11B, Rutherford Estate
The southeast portion of our Rutherford property, Block 11B, has a gravel riverbed running throughout, with soils that are extremely porous and retain less water during the growing season. We farm these individual vines with great care throughout the season to produce this deeply concentrated and intensely structured wine.
Hear from our Winemaker, Jeff Plant, and Estate Sommelier, Scott Tracy, as they highlight how the distinctive soils, microclimates, and geography of our Block 11B Rutherford Estate Vineyard results in the creation of The Vow Cabernet Sauvignon.
Gravel Series Membership
Gravel Series Membership offers access to the highly allocated, small-production Gravel Series Cabernet Sauvignons while they are still in barrel through an automatic, recurring futures reservation.
Futures allocations occur three times annually in Spring (Secret Garden), Summer (The Vow), and Fall (Scholars Gate). Wines ship upon release in October of the following year.
To explore this rare opportunity to become a Member of the Gravel Series Membership, please contact our Gravel Concierge. This exclusive membership is extremely limited.
gravelconcierge@roundpond.com | 707.302.2515