Round Pond Kith & Kin Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
This crowd-pleaser intrigues the senses with aromatics of vanilla, ripe black cherry, and cassis. In addition, layered with earthier notes of cedar and violet. The Round Pond Kith & Kin Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 maintains its focus with nicely integrated tannins which deliver explosive flavors of blackberry jam and dried cranberries, mingled with pleasing undertones of leather and sweet French oak. Showing the touch of Thomas Rivers Brown, the wine’s harmonious finish lingers with a kiss of floral essence balanced with an exciting menagerie of dried savory spices. Approachable in its youth, with balanced tannins and a fruit-forward character.
The Round Pond Kith & Kin Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 is deep ruby in color. Blueberry and black cherry on the nose with vanilla and clove accents and undertones of fresh-cut rose. Broad and luxurious on the palate with ripe tannins, mocha, cedar, and toasty oak.
With unparalleled pedigree and provenance, Round Pond’s broad, rich, and toasty Kith & Kin is one of the most stunning under-$30 Napa Cabernets we have tasted.
Fingerprints of Thomas Rivers Brown
Most Cabernets bearing the expert fingerprints of Thomas Rivers Brown — who has guided a staggering 25 wines to 100-point perfection — command triple-digit prices, which is why we call the 2016 Round Pond Kith & Kin Cabernet Sauvignon one of the most consistent overperformers in Napa. The influence of the 100-point-hoarding Brown as consulting winemaker is not the only thing that makes Round Pond remarkable.
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What some call luck could also be called shrewd decision-making. None looks savvier than the one to tap Thomas Rivers Brown as consulting winemaker. Jay McInerney, author, critic, and wine columnist for the Wall Street Journal, has called the humble Brown — who has authored 25 100-point wines but has himself lost count — “the most successful winemaker in California,” and those numbers make it hard to argue with that assessment. These kinds of credentials accompany few wines, let alone under-$30 steals like the broad and luxurious Round Pond Kith & Kin Cabernet Sauvignon 2016. Offering gorgeous blue and black fruits on the nose, sumptuous vanilla and clove accents, and ripe tannins, this is a wine that leaves its humble price in the dust.
Round Pond Estate
The estate is located in a prime Rutherford location. It shares soils equally sacred to nearby Napa standard-bearer Caymus and cult favorite Staglin. Wine Spectator, Food & Wine, and Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate all have heaped praise on the last three vintages of Kith & Kin, and this just-released 2016 hails from a growing season that Wine Spectator says “extends a run of exceptional years for Cabernet Sauvignon” in Napa.
In the early days of Round Pond, founder Bob MacDonnell was known as “Lucky Bob” for the good fortune that seemed to gild every one of his decisions. He bought 20 acres of land atop Pritchard Hill before the now-prestigious area was on the map. He then experienced success digging a well — something that had eluded every other vintner on the notoriously dry hill. Finally, in 1986, he had the opportunity to purchase a 250-acre rock-strewn property with fairly deep clay-filled soils in Rutherford. Lucky Bob pulled the trigger and found himself with Andy Beckstoffer’s prized Georges III Vineyard. In addition, BV’s famous Georges de Latour Reserve is on one side of his property, and Caymus on the other.