July Collector’s Club

Collectors Wine Clubwine bottle Round Pond 2021 Louis bovet Round Pond Estate Winery
2021 Louis Bovet
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Rutherford, California

BOLD WINE STYLE

This striking Cabernet opens with concentrated aromatics featuring black cherry notes, allspice, cocoa nibs and a hint of coffee. Mouthwatering flavors of blackberry, plum and mulberry lead to a touch of black pepper spice and dried herbs on the finish. Firm tannins envelop the palate and are beautifully balanced by the acidity, leading to a long, satisfying finish.

Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyard: Home Ranch
Appellation: Rutherford, Napa Valley, California
Alcohol: 14.8% alcohol / volume
Aging: 20 months in 70-85% new French oak
Winemakers: John Wilson & Jeff Plant
Consulting Winemaker: Thomas Rivers Brown
Release Date: July 2023
Health Considerations: Vegan friendly, gluten free, sustainably farmed
Accolades (from the 2021 vintage):

  • 94 pts Jeb Dunnuck
  • 94 pts Wine Enthusiast
  • 93 pts Wine Advocate
  • 92+ pts Vinous
  • 91 pts James Suckling

WINEMAKING NOTES:
The Louis Bovet Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon embodies a sharp focus on aspects of Rutherford terroir. It comes from the most expressive blocks on their Rutherford estate vineyard and from the best lots in the winery, these vineyard blocks grow in gravelly and sandy soils in our Rutherford vineyard’s eastern edge. These vines grow small, intensely concentrated grapes which translate to dark fruited, structured wines. A true magnifying glass showcasing what the estate can produce, this wine is complex and layered, with rich fruit profiles showcasing the ultimate in finesse and balance. This wine is age worthy and deserving of a place of honor in your cellar and on your table.

VINTAGE & VITICULTURE:
The 2021 vintage was marked by a second season of drought. The temperatures remained relatively mild, however the dry conditions resulted in smaller, more concentrated grapes with lighter yields and one of the earliest harvest windows to date. Cabernet Sauvignon and other red varieties are planted on loose, alluvial soils derived from the volcanic Vaca Mountains and the “California sprawl” trellis systems provide excellent vine balance and diverse sun exposures.

ABOUT LOUIS BOVET:
Bovet is Co-Founder Jan MacDonnell’s maiden name, and with this wine she is honoring her grandfather Louis. His passion for home winemaking and creating a self sustaining estate for himself and his children inspire Jan every day at Round Pond Estate. The icon on the label depicts the old wooden stamp that Louis used on the label of his homemade wine and the three bands on the capsule depict the three generations of family currently living on the property.

ABOUT ROUND POND ESTATE WINERY:
Round Pond Estate, owned and operated today by the second generation of the MacDonnell family, is a 468 acre Rutherford farm and winery that specializes in the creation of pure, expressive wines, artisan foods and unforgettable experiences, all from the heart of Napa Valley. In addition to a state-of-the-art winemaking facility and 362 acres of Rutherford vineyards, their estate includes 5 acres of gardens, 12 acres of olive orchards, and one of only two olive mills in the region. The family also owns a special 10 acre vineyard in the famed Oakville bench. Learn more here.

Information & Photos © Round Pond Estate – All Rights Reserved


Bold wine Style logoNV-Kosta-Browne-Sonoma-Coast-Pinot-NoirKosta Browne
Appellation Series
2022 Pinot Noir
Sonoma Coast, California

BOLD WINE STYLE

On the nose, this wine highlights notes of dark cherry, raspberry and elderberry that intertwine with intriguing hints of fresh basil and pomegranate. On the palate, delicate fruit flavors unfold, showcasing remarkable acidity with dynamic structure and an enduring finish.

Analysis: 14.1% alcohol / volume
pH: 3.71
Total Acidity: 5.69 g/L
Fermentation: 78% stainless steel, 14% oak, 8% concrete; 5% whole cluster
Élevage: 38% New French oak, 45% neutral oak and 17% oak foudre/cask for 16 months; 5% whole cluster

VINEYARD DETAILS:
Appellation: Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
Vineyard:
Gap’s Crown, Marshall, Pratt-Sexton, Balletto, Bacigalupi

Clones: Pommard, Mt. Eden, 777, 828, 115, 23, 113, 114, 2A, 828, 667
Trellising: VSP
Soil: Mainly Goldridge loam

APPELLATION SERIES:
Kosta Browne’s Appellation Series wine embodies their unwavering commitment to exploration and the artistry of crafting soulful, thought-provoking wines that pay homage to the world’s extraordinary terroirs.

SONOMA COAST APPELLATION:
The Sonoma Coast is the largest appellation in Sonoma County, strongly influenced by its proximity to ocean and heavy rainfall – producing more than twice the annual amount of its inland neighbors.  Kosta Browne’s Sonoma Coast vineyards span the northern true coastal zone and the southern edge of the appellation.  This distinctive  blend is made from 11 different clones, fermented in predominantly stainless steel, and aged for 16 months in 38% new oak.  Fact of note – this Sonoma Coast blend was the longest to ferment in stainless steel from their Appellation Series.

ABOUT KOSTA BROWNE:
Kosta Browne is a celebrated California winery renowned for its meticulous craftsmanship and expressive Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Founded in 1997 by Dan Kosta and Michael Browne, the winery began as a passion project and evolved into one of the most sought-after producers of premium wines from the Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley, and Santa Lucia Highlands. With an unwavering commitment to site-driven winemaking, Kosta Browne sources fruit from esteemed vineyards, blending tradition with innovation to craft wines of depth, elegance, and balance. Today, the winery continues to honor its roots while pushing the boundaries of excellence in California winemaking. Learn more
 here.

Photos and information © Kosta Browne – All Rights Reserved.


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April Collector’s Wine Club: Iowa

Collectors Wine ClubPEJU-Reserve-Cabernet-Franc-2019-bottle[224074]PEJU Winery
2019 Reserve Cabernet Franc
Napa Valley, California

BOLD WINE STYLE

This luxurious wine offers beautiful aromatics and a captivating presence. The nose displays a bouquet of dried savory herbs, ripe dark berries, and star anise. On the palate, this wine is nothing short of a masterpiece. The smooth and scrumptious flavors of caramel, integrated dark fruit, and chocolate play off each other beautifully. The wine is complex and layered, with a long smooth finish that coats the palate and leaves a lasting impression.

Analysis: 14.8% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 76% Cabernet Franc, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec
Appellation: Napa Valley, California
Aging: French oak, 85% new, 26 months
Harvest: October 2019
Release:
October 2024
Cases: 914
Winemaker: Sara Fowler
Accolades: 92 pts James Suckling; 92 pts Wine Advocate

WINEMAKER NOTES:
Peju believes great wines are made in the vineyard and are committed to farming sustainably and naturally to preserve these properties for the long term. The Peju team is certified Napa Green at their Rutherford winery and vineyard. In 2019 all six of their estate vineyards were certified Fish Friendly Farming, as part of their ongoing commitment to sustainability.

VINTAGE:
The beginning of the 2019 growing season was defined by copious rainfall. The long, warm summer saw very few extreme heat events, with foggy mornings setting the stage for vibrant and expressive wines. The long, relatively mild finish to the season, not without its moments of unpredictability, helped to preserve freshness and finesse in the fruit with abundant hang time teasing out great color, structure and soft tannins.

ABOUT PEJU WINERY:
In 1983, Tony and Herta (HB) Peju purchased thirty acres of vines in the famed Rutherford district of Napa Valley. They worked hard to build a winery, plant estate vineyards and raise their family. PEJU remains family-owned with Tony and HB’s two daughters, Ariana and Lisa, guiding the business today. Ariana and Lisa are bringing fresh ideas while maintaining the meticulous focus on quality that began 40 years ago. With its landmark tower and warm hospitality, PEJU Winery is an integral part of the Napa Valley landscape. Learn more here.

Photos and information © PEJU Winery – All Rights Reserved.


Mellow style logoKosta-Browne-Sta.-Rita-Hills-Pinot-Noir-bottleKosta Browne
Appellation Series
2022 Pinot Noir
Sta. Rita Hills, California

MELLOW WINE STYLE

The nose is an intriguing fusion of blackberry blossom and strawberry with a hint of baking spice. The mouth is elegantly structured with bramble fruit notes and bolstered tannins, this wine unfolds on the palate, culminated in a memorable finish.

Analysis: 14.1% alcohol / volume
Appellation: Sta. Rita Hills, California
Varietal:
Pinot Noir
pH:
3.64
TA: 5.87 g/L
Vineyard: Mt. Carmel, Rita’s Crown, Bentrock, Radian, John Sebastiano, Sanford & Benedict, Drum Canyon, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Peake Ranch, La Encantada
Clones: 828, 2A, Pommard, 667, 115, 777
Trellising: VSP
Soil: Silica (D.E. marine-based)
Fermentation: 64% stainless steel, 29% concrete, 7% oak; 3% whole cluster
Élevage: 37% new French oak, 42% neutral oak and 21% oak foudre/cask for 16 months; 3% whole cluster

WINEMAKER NOTES:
The Appellation Series embodies Kosta Browne’s unwavering commitment to exploration and the artistry of crafting soulful, thought-provoking wines that pay homage to the world’s extraordinary terroirs.

This microclimate, sculpted over 20 million years ago by a tectonic dance, stands as a testament to nature’s miracles. Mountains, rising from the sea with a clockwise grace, broke free to form the distinctive transverse ranges along the Pacific Coast. This geographical marvel funnels cool coastal fog and wind directly to the vines, solidifying the Sta. Rita Hills AVA as one of the most compelling cool-climate growing regions for Pinot Noir.

The 2022 Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir possesses profound aromas of layered boysenberry, blackberry blossom, and a hint of baking spice with bolstered tannins that seamlessly glide across the palate. With focused energy, this wine is composed with a near-everlasting finish.

ABOUT KOSTA BROWNE:
Kosta Browne is a celebrated California winery renowned for its meticulous craftsmanship and expressive Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Founded in 1997 by Dan Kosta and Michael Browne, the winery began as a passion project and evolved into one of the most sought-after producers of premium wines from the Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley, and Santa Lucia Highlands. With an unwavering commitment to site-driven winemaking, Kosta Browne sources fruit from esteemed vineyards, blending tradition with innovation to craft wines of depth, elegance, and balance. Today, the winery continues to honor its roots while pushing the boundaries of excellence in California winemaking. Learn more here.

Photos and information © Kosta Browne – All Rights Reserved.

 


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Learn more about our quarterly Collectors Club > click here