Napa Valley makes some some of the finest wines on planet Earth. Which means the best wines from Napa are literally some of the greatest wines on Earth. Bond Estates is in that category year after year. This project from Bill Harlan (yes THE Bill Harlan) is about as far humanity can currently reach into producing ultra high-end cabernet sauvignon with our current knowledge of viticulture and winemaking. Harlan employs 55 full-time vineyard workers to nurture and ultimately hand-select only the most pristine grape clusters for the finished single-vineyard wines. The vineyard sites themselves were curated after more than a decade of research and quality testing to uncover which plots produced wine of the utmost pedigree.
Naturally, these wines are extremely limited. Only 450-500 cases are made of each bottling per year and sometimes even less. Think about that for a moment, there are less than 6000 bottles of any single Bond wine in existence. With ~340 million people living in the United States today, it’s an incredibly exclusive set of individuals that get to even taste, much less own these wines.
We’re currently fortunate enough to have 11 distinct bottlings of Bond available for you today in top condition. We only have ONE bottle of each available, so it’s a race to be the person quickest to order. The opportunity is sizeable, as we’re putting these wines on 5%+ discount and we’re likely the only retailer in the US to carry this spread at this kind of pricing. Not a single one of these wines has scored less than 97 points from critics. We’ve been able to bring in 3 of the 2002 vintage as well at insane pricing given these wines are probably in peak drinking window in comparison to some of the younger vintages. Slow decision makers beware.
Buy any 1-2 bottles for a 5% discount
Buy any 3+ bottles for a 10% discount
Discounts will be applied after orders are received.
Offer ends on Wednesday June 19th at 9AM PST
Available Bottlings of Bond Estates:
BOND Estates Melbury, Napa Valley 2002 750ml Displayed Price: $549, that’s $521.55 at 5% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Wine Advocate 100 points “The 2002 Melbury, which comes from a hillside vineyard site near Lake Hennessey, is showing even better than it did in its youth. Probably years away from full maturity, the wine has an extraordinary aromatic profile of smoky meats intermixed with blackberry, crème de cassis, charcoal, lead pencil shavings and espresso. Dense, opulent and full-bodied, with terrific fruit, this is a showcase style of vintage for a wine of such great ripeness and massive intensity. This extraordinary effort displays oodles of glycerin and fabulous purity, while the oak has been completely absorbed. The cooler hillside climate of blue fruits and spring flowers is also present as the wine aerates in the glass. This wine has at least another 15-30 years of potential ahead of it.”
BOND Estates Melbury, Napa Valley 2015 750ml Displayed Price: $649, that’s $616.55 at 5% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 98 points “The more time passes, the more I think Melbury may turn out to be one of the most complete wines in the BOND range. The 2016 and 2015 both make a very strong case for that view. Tasted from bottle, the 2015 is exceptionally beautiful and vivid. Blood orange, mint and floral notes add nuance to an unbelievably polished, refined Cabernet Sauvignon. Put simply, the 2015 Melbury is a total stunner and every bit as captivating as it was last year.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97 points “Bottled in early 2018, the 2015 Melbury is deep garnet-purple colored with beautiful redcurrant jelly and crème de cassis notes with savory notions of tobacco, black olives and smoked meats plus a waft of lavender. The palate is full-bodied, firm and grainy, with a lively line lifting the perfumed, savory layers, finishing long.”
Decanter 96 points “Bond is Bill Harlan’s ‘Burgundian’ approach to a handful of Napa Valley Cabernet vineyards he considers ‘Grand Crus’. The Harlan viticultural and winemaking teams are in complete control of the vineyards and make the wines. Melbury (named after a London neighborhood where the owners reside) is a tiny rocky mountain vineyard east of Rutherford. The 2016 has the intoxicating wild berry and mountain ‘chaparral’ aromas reminiscent of the dry California forests that ring the valley. Very structured, with discernible tannins, the wine nonetheless exudes freshness.”
BOND Estates Melbury, Napa Valley 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $819, that’s $778.05 at 5% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 98 points “The 2018 Melbury is, as always, the first of the single-vineyard wines presented at Bond. The order is always the same: Melbury-Quella-St. Eden-Vecina and Pluribus. I suppose that makes sense from the standpoint of concentration and structure, but it is quite penalizing for the Melbury, a wine that is more about elegance than power or tannins. That said, the 2018 is not a shy wine, it certainly has plenty of depth. Freshness, energy and verve are the signatures in a Cabernet that is all about intangibles. Hints of dark red cherry, tobacco, rose petal, mint and sweet spice emerge over time. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 96-98 points “A barrel sample, the 2018 Melbury sports a deep garnet-purple and sashays out of the glass with bold, gregarious scents of fresh black cherries, mulberries and plums with hints of black currants, cinnamon toast and Sichuan pepper. Medium to full-bodied, elegant and refreshing, it is chock-full of crunchy fruit with compelling mineral accents coming through on the long finish.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Packed with dark blackberry and black currant preserves, this has nicely coiled energy, with sassafras and apple wood accents mixed with flashes of sweet bay leaf and tobacco. Subtle sanguine and black tea hints curl around the finish. Best from 2023 through 2037.—J.M.”
BOND Estates Pluribus, Napa Valley 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $819, that’s $778.05 at 5% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 99 points “The 2018 Pluribus captures all of the savory, mineral intensity of this site on Spring Mountain. Searing tannins, once such a challenge here, are much more finessed than in the past. Crushed rocks, mint, blood orange, gravel, exotic spice and rose petal lend tremendous complexity as the Pluribus shows off its considerable allure. This taut, mountain Cabernet Sauvignon has so much to offer. Today, it is wonderfully complete and thrilling. Even so, the best is yet to come.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97-100 points “From a vineyard located on Spring Mountain, the 2018 Pluribus (a barrel sample) reveals a deep garnet-purple. Youthfully reticent, it needs a fair bit of coaxing to reveal gorgeous notions of wild blueberries, ripe black plums and warm cassis plus hints of tilled earth, truffles, menthol and tobacco leaf. The full-bodied palate is densely packed with tightly wound black and blue fruit layers, supported by firm, grainy tannins and great tension, finishing very long with loads of earthy/savory sparks.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “This is well-packed, with crushed plum, steeped black currant and warmed blackberry compote notes mixed together, laced with bramble, licorice snap and apple wood. The fruit takes a really nice encore through the finish, while a dark earth hint moves underneath. Best from 2023 through 2038.—J.M.”
BOND Estates Quella, Napa Valley 2015 750ml Displayed Price: $649, that’s $616.55 at 5% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 97 points “The Quella is somber and brooding in 2015. Dark cherry, plum smoke, tobacco, leather, spice and scorched earth give the 2015 distinctive baritone inflections. There is quite a bit of density and textural resonance, but at the same time, the Quella is not particularly expressive. Perhaps bottling has affected the Quella more than it has the other wines in the range, as it was quite showy from barrel. I have seen Quella go through a period of reticence after bottling, so I won’t be at all surprised if all it needs is time.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The 2015 Quella is a darker, more mineral-laced wine and offers a classic Quella bouquet of black fruits, black truffle, tobacco, and dried earth. It’s full-bodied, deep and layered on the palate, with ripe, present tannins and terrific elegance as well as purity. It has the balance and texture to shine today, yet the class to evolve for 20 years or more.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97 points “Bottled in early 2018, the deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Quella gives aromas of blackcurrants, black cherries and mulberries with touches of tobacco, new leather, iron ore and truffles plus a hint of tree back. The palate is full-bodied, muscular and laden with earth and mineral layers, finishing with persistent savory notes.”
BOND Estates Quella, Napa Valley 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $819, that’s $778.05 at 5% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 97 points “The 2018 Quella is rich, ample and beautifully resonant in the glass. There’s terrific depth here and tons of class. Blood orange, game, licorice, tobacco, lavender and dried herbs give the Quella beguiling aromatic presence to play off its muscular, brooding personality. The 2018 needs a few years to soften, but it is already compelling, to say the least.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “Boasts black currant, fig and loganberry fruit flavors that are tightly packed yet nicely expressive already, while the backdrop of signed alder, juniper, bay leaf and warm loam adds extra dimension and length through the finish. Not shy on power, but everything is in proportion. Best from 2024 through 2040.—J.M.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 95-97 points “A barrel sample, the 2018 Quella has a deep garnet-purple color and opens with the most gorgeous perfume of violets, red and black plums, Morello cherries and cassis plus hints of iron ore and crushed rocks. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers lovely energy and tension, framed by fine-grained tannins and finishing with beautiful purity.”
BOND Estates St. Eden, Napa Valley 2002 750ml Displayed Price: $549, that’s $521.55 at 5% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Wine Advocate 100 points “The 2002 St. Eden, which comes from a valley floor vineyard in the Oakville corridor, is unreal. I had given the 2001 a perfect score, but the 2002 (made by the brain trust of on-site winemaker Bob Levy and outside French consultant Michel Rolland) is showing incredible elements of cedarwood, licorice, chocolate and creme de cassis as well as exquisite texture, full-bodied intensity, and unbelievable purity and length. It is only the second vintage for this vineyard, leased by Bill Harlan for several decades, and it has turned out to be a killer Cabernet Sauvignon and a great classic of Napa. It should drink well for 20-25 years.”
BOND Estates St. Eden, Napa Valley 2015 750ml Displayed Price: $699, that’s $664.05 at 5% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “Moving to the 2015s tasted from bottle, this is an incredible vintage for this estate and there are two perfect wines in the lineup. First up, the 2015 St. Eden, from a hillside of red volcanic soils near Oakville, boasts a saturated purple color and heavenly notes of blackcurrants, scorched earth, lead pencil shavings, and huge crushed rock-like minerality. It’s full-bodied, deep, and layered on the palate, with incredible concentration, yet it stays seamless, pure, and perfectly balanced. It’s a magical wine to drink over the coming 2-3 decades.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 99 points “Bottled in early 2018, the deep garnet-purple colored 2015 St. Eden springs from the glass with exuberant blueberry pie, potpourri and spice cake scents followed by a black raspberry, cassis and preserved plums core plus a touch of wild sage. Full-bodied, plush and decadently fruited, it completely packs the palate with layer upon layer of black fruit preserves, finishing very long with those spices coming through.”
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 96 points “The 2015 St. Eden is another wine in this lineup that is not quite as expressive as it can be. Firm tannins dominate over softer contours that so often make St. Eden such an alluring wine. Time in the glass brings out an attractive set of dark cherry, plum, leather and tobacco notes. Even so, the 2015 is going to need a number of years to be at its very best.”
BOND Estates St. Eden, Napa Valley 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $819, that’s $778.05 at 5% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 97 points “The 2018 St. Eden is impressive. Dense and powerful in the glass, the 2018 is done in a style that emphasizes freshness and vibrancy, reflecting a generational transition in all of these wines that is most apparent here. Dark fruit, licorice, mocha, spice and chocolate begin to emerge with time, but the St. Eden is much less forthcoming than in the past. In fact, the 2018 might very well be the most reticent St. Eden I have ever tasted. That energy will serve it well in the cellar. Readers accustomed to the voluptuous, lush St. Edens of the past will not find that in the 2018. As much as the style has changed in this wine, I am not surprised to see that. A complete vertical of the Bond wines a few years ago showed the St. Eden to have the most condensed arc of peak drinkability of the Bond wines.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 96-98 points “A barrel sample, the 2018 St. Eden is deep garnet-purple in color. The nose is a little closed at this nascent stage, offering broody glimpses at blackcurrant jelly, boysenberries and black raspberries before opening out to a spicy undercurrent of cloves, black pepper and cumin seed. The palate is built like a brick house with a solid structure of ripe, grainy tannins and a lively backbone framing the full-bodied, muscular fruit, finishing long and layered.”
BOND Estates Vecina, Napa Valley 2002 750ml Displayed Price: $499, that’s $474.05 at 5% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Wine Advocate 97 points “Intense aromas of mint, fine leather and ripe cherries emerge on the nose of the 2002 Vecina, which comes from a site near Harlan Estate, in the western hills of Oakville. It’s full-bodied, supple and charming, with a long, long finish. While mature, it’s in no danger of going off a cliff anytime soon.”
BOND Estates Vecina, Napa Valley 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $819, that’s $778.05 at 5% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 99 points “A regal, soaring wine, the 2018 Vecina is immediately captivating. Red fruit, iron, dried rose petal and exotic spice all soar out of the glass. Over the last two months the Vecina has acquired stunning aromatic presence to play off its deep, layered fruit. The 2018 is an absolute gem in the making. As a reminder, Vecina is sourced from Vine Hill Ranch, at the southern end of Oakville, where the Cabernets are distinguished by a beguiling combination of power and savory/earthy intensity.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97-99 points “A barrel sample, the 2018 Vecina displays a deep garnet-purple color and offers slowly emerging classic notes of black currants, black cherries, blackberry pie and cedar chest with hints of charcoal, tar, pencil lead and fragrant earth. The full-bodied palate has a rock-solid structure of firm, grainy tannins and tons of freshness supporting the generous black fruits, finishing on a lingering mineral note.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “Ripe and focused, with a solidly built core of black currant and fig paste lined with tar and loam. Ends with an encore of fruit swathed in bittersweet cocoa and tobacco, giving this a muscular feel, but there’s also a nicely buried iron note that adds cut. This begs for cellaring. Best from 2024 through 2040.—J.M.”
BOND Estates Melbury, Napa Valley 2002 750ml Displayed Price: $549, that’s $521.55 at 5% off, 1 bottle in stock nowWine Advocate 100 points “The 2002 Melbury, which comes from a hillside vineyard site near Lake Hennessey, is showing even better than it did in its youth. Probably years away from full maturity, the wine has an extraordinary aromatic profile of smoky meats intermixed with blackberry, crème de cassis, charcoal, lead pencil shavings and espresso. Dense, opulent and full-bodied, with terrific fruit, this is a showcase style of vintage for a wine of such great ripeness and massive intensity. This extraordinary effort displays oodles of glycerin and fabulous purity, while the oak has been completely absorbed. The cooler hillside climate of blue fruits and spring flowers is also present as the wine aerates in the glass. This wine has at least another 15-30 years of potential ahead of it.”
BOND Estates Melbury, Napa Valley 2015 750ml Displayed Price: $649, that’s $616.55 at 5% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 98 points “The more time passes, the more I think Melbury may turn out to be one of the most complete wines in the BOND range. The 2016 and 2015 both make a very strong case for that view. Tasted from bottle, the 2015 is exceptionally beautiful and vivid. Blood orange, mint and floral notes add nuance to an unbelievably polished, refined Cabernet Sauvignon. Put simply, the 2015 Melbury is a total stunner and every bit as captivating as it was last year.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97 points “Bottled in early 2018, the 2015 Melbury is deep garnet-purple colored with beautiful redcurrant jelly and crème de cassis notes with savory notions of tobacco, black olives and smoked meats plus a waft of lavender. The palate is full-bodied, firm and grainy, with a lively line lifting the perfumed, savory layers, finishing long.”
Decanter 96 points “Bond is Bill Harlan’s ‘Burgundian’ approach to a handful of Napa Valley Cabernet vineyards he considers ‘Grand Crus’. The Harlan viticultural and winemaking teams are in complete control of the vineyards and make the wines. Melbury (named after a London neighborhood where the owners reside) is a tiny rocky mountain vineyard east of Rutherford. The 2016 has the intoxicating wild berry and mountain ‘chaparral’ aromas reminiscent of the dry California forests that ring the valley. Very structured, with discernible tannins, the wine nonetheless exudes freshness.”
BOND Estates Melbury, Napa Valley 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $819, that’s $778.05 at 5% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 98 points “The 2018 Melbury is, as always, the first of the single-vineyard wines presented at Bond. The order is always the same: Melbury-Quella-St. Eden-Vecina and Pluribus. I suppose that makes sense from the standpoint of concentration and structure, but it is quite penalizing for the Melbury, a wine that is more about elegance than power or tannins. That said, the 2018 is not a shy wine, it certainly has plenty of depth. Freshness, energy and verve are the signatures in a Cabernet that is all about intangibles. Hints of dark red cherry, tobacco, rose petal, mint and sweet spice emerge over time. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 96-98 points “A barrel sample, the 2018 Melbury sports a deep garnet-purple and sashays out of the glass with bold, gregarious scents of fresh black cherries, mulberries and plums with hints of black currants, cinnamon toast and Sichuan pepper. Medium to full-bodied, elegant and refreshing, it is chock-full of crunchy fruit with compelling mineral accents coming through on the long finish.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Packed with dark blackberry and black currant preserves, this has nicely coiled energy, with sassafras and apple wood accents mixed with flashes of sweet bay leaf and tobacco. Subtle sanguine and black tea hints curl around the finish. Best from 2023 through 2037.—J.M.”
BOND Estates Pluribus, Napa Valley 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $819, that’s $778.05 at 5% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 99 points “The 2018 Pluribus captures all of the savory, mineral intensity of this site on Spring Mountain. Searing tannins, once such a challenge here, are much more finessed than in the past. Crushed rocks, mint, blood orange, gravel, exotic spice and rose petal lend tremendous complexity as the Pluribus shows off its considerable allure. This taut, mountain Cabernet Sauvignon has so much to offer. Today, it is wonderfully complete and thrilling. Even so, the best is yet to come.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97-100 points “From a vineyard located on Spring Mountain, the 2018 Pluribus (a barrel sample) reveals a deep garnet-purple. Youthfully reticent, it needs a fair bit of coaxing to reveal gorgeous notions of wild blueberries, ripe black plums and warm cassis plus hints of tilled earth, truffles, menthol and tobacco leaf. The full-bodied palate is densely packed with tightly wound black and blue fruit layers, supported by firm, grainy tannins and great tension, finishing very long with loads of earthy/savory sparks.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “This is well-packed, with crushed plum, steeped black currant and warmed blackberry compote notes mixed together, laced with bramble, licorice snap and apple wood. The fruit takes a really nice encore through the finish, while a dark earth hint moves underneath. Best from 2023 through 2038.—J.M.”
BOND Estates Quella, Napa Valley 2015 750ml Displayed Price: $649, that’s $616.55 at 5% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 97 points “The Quella is somber and brooding in 2015. Dark cherry, plum smoke, tobacco, leather, spice and scorched earth give the 2015 distinctive baritone inflections. There is quite a bit of density and textural resonance, but at the same time, the Quella is not particularly expressive. Perhaps bottling has affected the Quella more than it has the other wines in the range, as it was quite showy from barrel. I have seen Quella go through a period of reticence after bottling, so I won’t be at all surprised if all it needs is time.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The 2015 Quella is a darker, more mineral-laced wine and offers a classic Quella bouquet of black fruits, black truffle, tobacco, and dried earth. It’s full-bodied, deep and layered on the palate, with ripe, present tannins and terrific elegance as well as purity. It has the balance and texture to shine today, yet the class to evolve for 20 years or more.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97 points “Bottled in early 2018, the deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Quella gives aromas of blackcurrants, black cherries and mulberries with touches of tobacco, new leather, iron ore and truffles plus a hint of tree back. The palate is full-bodied, muscular and laden with earth and mineral layers, finishing with persistent savory notes.”
BOND Estates Quella, Napa Valley 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $819, that’s $778.05 at 5% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 97 points “The 2018 Quella is rich, ample and beautifully resonant in the glass. There’s terrific depth here and tons of class. Blood orange, game, licorice, tobacco, lavender and dried herbs give the Quella beguiling aromatic presence to play off its muscular, brooding personality. The 2018 needs a few years to soften, but it is already compelling, to say the least.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “Boasts black currant, fig and loganberry fruit flavors that are tightly packed yet nicely expressive already, while the backdrop of signed alder, juniper, bay leaf and warm loam adds extra dimension and length through the finish. Not shy on power, but everything is in proportion. Best from 2024 through 2040.—J.M.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 95-97 points “A barrel sample, the 2018 Quella has a deep garnet-purple color and opens with the most gorgeous perfume of violets, red and black plums, Morello cherries and cassis plus hints of iron ore and crushed rocks. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers lovely energy and tension, framed by fine-grained tannins and finishing with beautiful purity.”
BOND Estates St. Eden, Napa Valley 2002 750ml Displayed Price: $549, that’s $521.55 at 5% off, 1 bottle in stock nowWine Advocate 100 points “The 2002 St. Eden, which comes from a valley floor vineyard in the Oakville corridor, is unreal. I had given the 2001 a perfect score, but the 2002 (made by the brain trust of on-site winemaker Bob Levy and outside French consultant Michel Rolland) is showing incredible elements of cedarwood, licorice, chocolate and creme de cassis as well as exquisite texture, full-bodied intensity, and unbelievable purity and length. It is only the second vintage for this vineyard, leased by Bill Harlan for several decades, and it has turned out to be a killer Cabernet Sauvignon and a great classic of Napa. It should drink well for 20-25 years.”
BOND Estates St. Eden, Napa Valley 2015 750ml Displayed Price: $699, that’s $664.05 at 5% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “Moving to the 2015s tasted from bottle, this is an incredible vintage for this estate and there are two perfect wines in the lineup. First up, the 2015 St. Eden, from a hillside of red volcanic soils near Oakville, boasts a saturated purple color and heavenly notes of blackcurrants, scorched earth, lead pencil shavings, and huge crushed rock-like minerality. It’s full-bodied, deep, and layered on the palate, with incredible concentration, yet it stays seamless, pure, and perfectly balanced. It’s a magical wine to drink over the coming 2-3 decades.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 99 points “Bottled in early 2018, the deep garnet-purple colored 2015 St. Eden springs from the glass with exuberant blueberry pie, potpourri and spice cake scents followed by a black raspberry, cassis and preserved plums core plus a touch of wild sage. Full-bodied, plush and decadently fruited, it completely packs the palate with layer upon layer of black fruit preserves, finishing very long with those spices coming through.”
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 96 points “The 2015 St. Eden is another wine in this lineup that is not quite as expressive as it can be. Firm tannins dominate over softer contours that so often make St. Eden such an alluring wine. Time in the glass brings out an attractive set of dark cherry, plum, leather and tobacco notes. Even so, the 2015 is going to need a number of years to be at its very best.”
BOND Estates St. Eden, Napa Valley 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $819, that’s $778.05 at 5% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 97 points “The 2018 St. Eden is impressive. Dense and powerful in the glass, the 2018 is done in a style that emphasizes freshness and vibrancy, reflecting a generational transition in all of these wines that is most apparent here. Dark fruit, licorice, mocha, spice and chocolate begin to emerge with time, but the St. Eden is much less forthcoming than in the past. In fact, the 2018 might very well be the most reticent St. Eden I have ever tasted. That energy will serve it well in the cellar. Readers accustomed to the voluptuous, lush St. Edens of the past will not find that in the 2018. As much as the style has changed in this wine, I am not surprised to see that. A complete vertical of the Bond wines a few years ago showed the St. Eden to have the most condensed arc of peak drinkability of the Bond wines.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 96-98 points “A barrel sample, the 2018 St. Eden is deep garnet-purple in color. The nose is a little closed at this nascent stage, offering broody glimpses at blackcurrant jelly, boysenberries and black raspberries before opening out to a spicy undercurrent of cloves, black pepper and cumin seed. The palate is built like a brick house with a solid structure of ripe, grainy tannins and a lively backbone framing the full-bodied, muscular fruit, finishing long and layered.”
BOND Estates Vecina, Napa Valley 2002 750ml Displayed Price: $499, that’s $474.05 at 5% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Wine Advocate 97 points “Intense aromas of mint, fine leather and ripe cherries emerge on the nose of the 2002 Vecina, which comes from a site near Harlan Estate, in the western hills of Oakville. It’s full-bodied, supple and charming, with a long, long finish. While mature, it’s in no danger of going off a cliff anytime soon.”
BOND Estates Vecina, Napa Valley 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $819, that’s $778.05 at 5% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 99 points “A regal, soaring wine, the 2018 Vecina is immediately captivating. Red fruit, iron, dried rose petal and exotic spice all soar out of the glass. Over the last two months the Vecina has acquired stunning aromatic presence to play off its deep, layered fruit. The 2018 is an absolute gem in the making. As a reminder, Vecina is sourced from Vine Hill Ranch, at the southern end of Oakville, where the Cabernets are distinguished by a beguiling combination of power and savory/earthy intensity.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97-99 points “A barrel sample, the 2018 Vecina displays a deep garnet-purple color and offers slowly emerging classic notes of black currants, black cherries, blackberry pie and cedar chest with hints of charcoal, tar, pencil lead and fragrant earth. The full-bodied palate has a rock-solid structure of firm, grainy tannins and tons of freshness supporting the generous black fruits, finishing on a lingering mineral note.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “Ripe and focused, with a solidly built core of black currant and fig paste lined with tar and loam. Ends with an encore of fruit swathed in bittersweet cocoa and tobacco, giving this a muscular feel, but there’s also a nicely buried iron note that adds cut. This begs for cellaring. Best from 2024 through 2040.—J.M.”