Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/326040
16 / the tasting panel / june 2014 THE MESSAGE S onoma native Muiris Griffin, whose university studies in Montpellier ultimately led him to a career in wine, now has the role of winemaker at Round Pond Estate. Owned by the MacDonnell family, the winery offers a unique perspective from the heart of Rutherford; the expansive deck of the second-floor tasting room looks out over the 400-acre estate not unlike a ship on a calm, green sea. Griffin's work on the Maturity Project at nearby Opus One and as assistant winemaker at Ridge Vineyards means he comes to the estate with a holistic view of wine styles and winegrowing practices. Replanting at Round Pond began in 2005 and is now 70 percent complete. Griffin has a Semillon block just now coming online to consider for the Bordeaux-like estate Sauvignon Blanc, which also includes the Sauvignon Musqué clone. The 2013 ($24) shows the results of several passes during harvest with ripe citrus, white peach and white pepper. Griffin and MacDonnell attribute the site-specific quality of the acidity and complexity in Round Pond's Cabernet Sauvignon to the estate's gravel soils. Upcoming releases include the Rutherford 2012 ($60), earthy and balanced with cumin, graphite and black cherry. Scheduled for release in fall 2015: a single vineyard-designate series wine from the recently acquired Mondavi M-Bar Vineyard in Oakville, with focused, bright red fruit, candied orange peel and round, tropical oak. —Deborah Parker Wong E xtolling the virtues of Mourvèdre, Syrah and Grenache and their tasty attributes, two of New York's most prominent slam poets out-worded and out-witted each other in a poetry slam contest hosted by Rhône Valley wines last month for wine bloggers and press. The poets were provided information about the wines of Northern and Southern Rhône and created custom poems that fused sense, taste, mythology and mystery. Held at The Library lounge at the Public Theater, the "off-beat" event was part of Inter-Rhône's media relaunch in New York. Sommelier-about-town Michael Madrigale served as master of ceremonies, urging the audience to cast their vote for best slam. Mikumari Caiyhe bested Mahogany L. Browne in the war of words, winning a case of Rhône Valley wines, which he described as "A beautiful blend/Of spice and spin ... Fruity and filling/Hearty and healing/Ready for anything, even chilling." —Lana Bortolot A New Winemaker at Round Pond Rhône Valley Wines Wax Poetic Owner Miles MacDonnell (left) and new winemaker Muiris Griffin at Round Pond Estate. Left to right: Poets Mahogany L. Browne and Mikumari Caiyhe gave Sommelier Michael Madrigale (Bar Boulud) some choice words. Left right: Mahogany and Mikumari PHOTO: DEBORAH PARKER WONG PHOTO: LANA BORTOLOT TP0614_001-33.indd 16 5/23/14 8:29 PM