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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July Bubbly Club Iowa

Bubbly Wine ClubMumm-Napa-Cuvee-bottleMumm Napa
Cuvée M
Napa Valley, California

BUBBLY WINE STYLE

A slightly sweet sparkling wine, Cuvée M appeals to sparkling wine aficionados with a bit of a sweet tooth. This soft, elegant wine that showcases powerful, ripe fruit flavors of Napa Valley. Cuvée M highlights a graceful stream of fine bubbles and a lovely peach-rose hue. It has fresh white and yellow stone fruit aromas, complemented by notes of wild strawberry, fresh baked bread, vanilla and honey. Layers of ripe peach with subtle hints of mandarin orange combine with crisp citrus tones, leading to a long, satisfying finish. The complex bouquet works seamlessly for champagne cocktails, paired with hors d’oeuvres, spicy entrées and creamy desserts.

Varietal: 45% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir, 10% Pinot Gris/Pinot Meunier
Analysis: 12.5% alcohol / volume
Style: Sec
Residual Sugar (Dosage):
3.00%
TA: 6.7 g/L
pH: 3.01
Time en Tirage: 16 months
Aging Potential:
Drink now
Critical Acclaim: 91 Points – Wine Enthusiast

Method:
The Cuvée M grapes are harvested during the crisp morning hours to ensure they arrive at the winery in pristine condition. Fermentation is conducted at cool temperatures, mainly in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and fruit intensity. A few selected lots are aged in French oak barrels to add depth, complexity and spiciness to the final blend. After initial fermentation, the art of the blending begins. The winemakers find the perfect blend of wines to create their taste and style. Then the finished blend is bottled for the second fermentation. An average of 16 months yeast aging adds complexity, contributing subtle bread dough flavors and layers of creaminess. Disgorged as a Sec style (3.00% RS), Cuvée M’s final dosage is designed to highlight the beautiful, ripe stone fruit characters of the blend.

Photos and Information © Mumm Napa – All Rights Reserved


Mumm-Napa-brut-rose-bottleMumm Napa
Brut Rosé
Napa Valley, California

BUBBLY WINE STYLE

The Mumm Napa signature Rosé has an eye-catching, beautiful pink coral color with vivid aromas of black cherries, red berries and citrus. The palate showcases soft, red fruit flavors that are rich and mouth-filling, yet retain the elegant character that is Mumm Napa’s trademark. This wildly versatile and food friendly wine (from salmon and sushi to duck), it’s the perfect fit for date night or a girls night out.

Varietal: 69% Pinot Noir, 29% Chardonnay, 2% Pinot Meunier
Analysis: 12.5% alcohol / volume
Style: Brut
Residual Sugar (Dosage): 1.08%
TA: 6.8 g/L
pH: 3.05
Time en Tirage: 16 months
Aging Potential:
Drink now
Critical Acclaim: 92 Points – Wine Enthusiast

Method:
Brut Rosé grapes are harvested during the cool morning hours to ensure they arrive at the winery in pristine condition. Fermentation is conducted at cool temperatures in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and fruit intensity. A small amount of red Pinot Noir is added to the blend before bottling to create the beautiful pink coral color. An average of 16 months yeast aging adds complexity, contributing subtle bread dough flavors and layers of creaminess. The wine is then disgorged and a dosage added back to balance the wine’s acidity.

About Mumm Napa:
The Mumm Napa roots can be traced back to GH Mumm, the leading international champagne brand in France. Established in California in the late 1970s, Mumm Napa follows traditional wine making techniques of its French heritage to create the finest, hand-crafted sparkling wines. Their dedication to quality has been rewarded with accolades and awards over the decades. Learn more about the winery’s history and vineyards here.

Photos and Information © Mumm Napa – All Rights Reserved


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