Benchmark Wines by

Bond

The Winery

BOND Estates

Bill Harlan followed his passion to craft the finest wines in California as he developed Harlan Estate winery, and then Bond in 1997. Located in the western hills of Oakville, Harlan founded Bond Estate identifying it as a “Grand Cru” of Napa. Today we are highlighting the five vineyard, single varietal Cabernet wines from Melbury, Pluribus, St. Eden, Quella, and Vecina. These vivid wines only use the best fruit available from each of the quality focused vineyards. Every wine coming from Bond focuses on uniquely showcasing each vineyards terroir.

Melbury

This vineyard is located on the steep, rocky slopes north of Lake Hennessey, and east of Rutherford thriving in ancient sedimentary soil. The wine made from this vineyard takes on characteristics of sweet perfumes, red fruits, and spice. Each Melbury label consists of the color pink writing of the vintage, name, and seal.

Pluribus

This high-elevation vineyard is on the steep slopes of Spring Mountain, planted in white Tufa volcanic bedrock. Pluribus is a Latin word for ‘many’ which was choose to imply the many factors that are involved in creating wine. These wines are distinctive and offer stunning flavors of plum and black raspberry and exhibits scents of cedar.

St. Eden

This beautiful estate is located north of Oakville Crossword and is BOND’s only valley floor vineyard. Wines from this vineyard has been credited from Robert Parker as ‘first-growth Pauillac-like character’ with remarkable nose of crushed rocks, roasted herbs and notes of dark chocolate. Within this label is green writing with a green seal.

Quella

This winery is based in an ancient river bed composed of cobble and rocks in the eastern hills overlooking Napa Valley. Quella displays flavors of mint, herbs, minerals, and blue fruits. Within this label is blue writing and blue seal.

Vecina

Vecina means neighbor in Spanish, which is neighboring Bill Harlan’s first winery: Harlan Estate. This 11 acre is the most southern part of the property sitting on the edge of the Maycamas Mountains. Wines produced from the vineyard are big wines full of intense and savory flavors mostly dark fruits. Orange is a prominent color on the labels of these wines.

Matriarch

Matriarch is an evocative second label blend used from each of Bond's vineyards.

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2001
2 In Stock
750ml
WA96
WE96
V95
WS94
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Tasting Notes

WA96
The most backward, earthy, muscular/masculine wine of the group is the 2001 Vecina. Still quite tightly knit, with loads of rugged tannins as well as distinctive notes of graphite and earth reminiscent of a St.-Estephe such as Chateau Montrose, the wine displays sweet, earthy blueberry and blackberry fruit, but then the tannins kick in. This full-bodied, massive wine needs a good 5-7 years of cellaring at the minimum, and whether it ever approaches the seamless/flawless perfection of a St. Eden or Melbury remains to be seen. Rating: 96+
WE96
Very fine wine. Denser, richer, more powerful than the other Bond '01s. In the mouth, it has a molten quality, like liquid lead or mercury; strong flavors of plums, bitter chocolate, cassis, and good, rich oak. Pretty astringent now in tannins, it's firm and hard, but complex and layered. Drink now, but best beyond 2010. Cellar Selection.

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