96 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Gravel Series Secret Garden is packed with black fruit, gravel, incense, scorched earth, licorice, dried herbs and menthol. Ample, potent and explosive, with real substance and tons of structure.”
Tasting Notes
A deep garnet color in the glass, aromas of bold black fruit, tobacco leaf, and sage are accented by a floral hint of rose petal. Beautifully integrated flavors of blackberry, blueberry, plum and currant spread across the palate with notes of star anise and mocha on the finish. Balanced structure and elegant acidity make this an impressive wine that will continue to age wonderfully over the next 20+ years.
Technical Information
Winemaker: Thomas Rivers Brown & Jeff Plant
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Source: M-bar, the Oakville Bench estate property
Aging: 20 months in 85% new French oak
Production: 15 barrels
Vintage Notes
The 2021 vintage was marked by a second season of drought. The temperatures remained relatively mild, but the dry conditions resulted in smaller, more concentrated grapes with lighter yields and one of the earliest harvest windows to date. Our Cabernet Sauvignon and other red varieties are planted on loose, alluvial soils derived from the volcanic Vaca Mountains, and our “California sprawl” trellis systems provide excellent vine balance and diverse sun exposures.
Vineyard Notes | M-Bar Ranch Vineyard, Oakville
Nestled between Harlan Estate and Dominus Estate, the soil of our Oakville site lies on a gravelly base overlaid with alluvial soils washed down from the Mayacamas mountain range. This site experiences more maritime influence, with the fog layer lingering later in the morning and arriving earlier in the evening, leading to slightly cooler days and nights. These mild conditions produce wines with an elegant flavor profile and structure.
Hear from our Winemaker, Jeff Plant, and Estate Sommelier, Scott Tracy, as they highlight how the distinctive soils, microclimates, and geography of our M-Bar Ranch Vineyard in Oakville result in the creation of the Secret Garden 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