2017 Round Pond Estate Kith and Kin Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 750 ml

100-Point Winemaking With A Happy Hour Price

Sandwiched between Andy Beckstoffer’s Georges III Vineyard and Caymus headquarters, Round Pond Estate sits in a pristine location better known for triple-digit price tags than bargain red blends. Vibrant, just-picked blue and black fruit offer a warm invitation to this velvety red. Remarkably well-balanced, soft tannins and undercurrents of vanilla provide a gentle segue to its soft finish. Broad and expansive on the palate, Kith & Kin marries cellar-worthy structure with easy-drinking Napa Cabernet opulence.

Kith & Kin’s magical combination of value and prestige seems unbelievable until the fingerprints of founder “Lucky Bob” MacDonnell and 100-point winemaking phenom Thomas Rivers Brown come into view. MacDonnell was one of the original vineyard owners on the slopes of the prestigious Pritchard Hill before conquering 250 acres of Rutherford’s most valuable hillsides in 1986. In the 30 years since, Round Pond has become an icon in the midst of neighbors like Caymus and Staglin.

Known for his shrewd decision-making, MacDonnell didn’t waste any time recruiting Rivers Brown to the Round Pond team. The South Carolina native has amassed a trophy room of top-scoring wines, including 25 perfect 100-point scores. Jay McInerney, author, critic, and wine columnist for the Wall Street Journal called Brown, “the most successful winemaker in California,” and his collection of scores across vintages more than backs up that assessment.

Wine Spectator, Food & Wine, and Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate all have heaped praise on the last three vintages of Kith & Kin, and this pre-release of the 2017 is poised to receive the same treatment. Built around a core of fruit from the esteemed estate vineyards, and supplemented with dashes of Cabernet from across the valley, Kith & Kin is a gorgeous snapshot of the ample 2017 season.

Designed for everyday drinking, this exuberant red undergoes the same premier treatment in the vineyard and cellar as Round Pond’s cult-level bottlings, making it consistently the region’s most compelling bargain bottle.