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Black ruby-red. Ripe aromas of black raspberry, truffle and licorice. Sweet and silky in the middle but at the same time juicy and minerally, showing broad, suave flavors of black plum, coffee and mocha. Tannins start a little edgy but smooth out in the glass. Not yet hugely complex but then the 2011 BOND wines went into bottle just a few weeks prior to my March visit. Production of these wines was very low in 2011 owing to strict selection, and alcohol levels are in the range of 14.1% to 14.4%, or a bit lower than in recent years.
93 Points /Stephen Tanzer (May 2014)
Wine Description
The Story
Sourced from select hillside estates, the Cabernet Sauvignon wines of BOND vividly demonstrate the range of Napa Valley's finest terroirs. From the more than eighty vineyards we have worked with over the past quarter century, we have slowly and vigilantly selected five sites. BOND became our covenant and shared commitment to produce only the best expression of the land.
By way of this valuable experience, we had the opportunity to identify select properties that we felt had the potential to define the ‘Grand Crus’ of Napa Valley. These small hillside Cabernet vineyards, ranging in size from 7 to 11 acres, became the basis for the wines of BOND.
MELBURY originates from a spectacular property on the slopes north of Lake Hennessey, in the hills east of Rutherford.
The name Melbury is in homage to an historic area in London, where the estate owners reside much of the year. Since its debut with the 1999 vintage, the consistent hallmarks of Melbury have been plush red fruits (currants, bing cherries), redolent with spice and the scent of violets. Elegance and a supple texture define the structure of this wine. The particular exposition of this rocky 7-acre hillside vineyard is southerly overlooking Lake Hennessey, allowing the vines to capture the morning sun yet moderating afternoon temperatures.
SOIL: Ancient sedimentary soil with compressed clay. Eastern and Southeastern Exposure.
Wine Information
The Melbury 2011 reveals abound ripe red fruit aromas, with hints of graphite on the nose. The wine is extremely mature, showing extraordinary charm on the palate. There is an almost saline quality in the mid-palate that is enveloped in silky, fine-grained tannins. Bond's Melbury 2011 is a very charismatic cuvee.
Wine Advocate-Parker :
The medium to full-bodied 2011 Melbury Proprietary Red Blend exhibits lots of blueberry and blackcurrant fruit, sweet tannin, an evolved, open-knit, friendly style, good purity and a long finish. Drink it now and over the next 10-15 years.