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
“…a very pretty, understated wine. Succulent red cherry, red plum, mocha, spice, new leather and licorice all meld together in this pliant, creamy Cabernet. The 2022 is an attractive wine for the year…”
– Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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: 12 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 | 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 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