There have been some serious moves being made at Rocky Pond. They started by hiring John Ware several years back as president. John had a masterful hand in helping Quilceda Creek become the powerhouse that it is today in American wine. John has been doing a beautiful job at Rocky Pond, hiring Elizabeth Keyser from HALL. Keyser helped make what for my palate is some of the finest wine you will taste in the Napa Valley.
Rocky Pond was started by David and Michelle Dufenhorst. Over the past four years they have added the masterful touch of Steve Levesque to serve as consulting winemaker, former HALL winemaker. The quality of the wines are getting better and better. Tasting with Elizabeth Keyser I was very impressed with what is coming down the pipeline. The best wine I tried was the 2022 Rocky Pond ‘Statastone’ Red Wine (OB, 93) which is rich and beautifully textured stuff with meaty character. Learn more about this winery at https://rockypondwinery.com Here are the new release wines by Rocky Pond.
2023 Rocky Pond ‘Clos CheValle’ Riesling (BARREL SAMPLE)- The 2023 Rocky Pond ‘Clos CheValle’ Riesling is made in the Trocken style. Petrol, peach and green apple mark the nose. The palate shows good texture and mouthfeel with good richness and bright underlying acidity. Drink 2024-2030- 91
2023 Rocky Pond ‘Clos CheValle’ Gewurtztraminer (BARREL SAMPLE)- The 2023 Rocky Pond ‘Clos CheValle’ Gewurtztraminer offers rich nectarine and star jasmine on the nose alongside sweetened gooseberry notes. Just a kiss of sweetness greets you alongside a smooth texture and fantastic length. This is seriously good stuff. Drink 2024-2030- 92
2022 Rocky Pond ‘Stratastone’ Red Wine (BARREL SAMPLE)- This 2022 ‘Stratastone’ is near equal parts Grenache, Syrah and Mourvdere as the Grenache was 35% whole cluster fermented. This was staged in roughly 30% new French oak before bottling. Sage and dark currants mingle well with salty soils on the nose. The palate is soft and refined with silky tannins that frame a core of smoked meats, black currants and shades of loganberry preserves alongside bright freshness. This is really well-done. Drink 2024-2034- 93
2022 Rocky Pond ‘Estate’ Syrah- The ‘Estate’ comes mainly from the Double D Vineyard. Stored in 30% new French oak before bottling. Creosote and white pepper dusted BBQ ribs combine with suggestions of coffee grounds, blackberries and green olives on the nose. The palate shows good finesse with a soft texture. Rich and viscous, this is showing beautifully right now. Drink 2024-2034- 93
2022 Rocky Pond ‘Studio’ Syrah- This is a new wine to the Rocky Pond lineup, as the 2022 ‘Studio’ offers whole cluster Viognier and Syrah which comes from a block from the Clos CheValle Vineyard. White pepper and bacon fat combine with honeysuckle notes and dark currants on the nose. The palate is beautifully textured with good length and salty mineral accents. Very floral and complex, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next eight years. Drink 2024-2032- 93