2001 Bond "Melbury" Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend

“The 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Melbury (a dead ringer for Pauillac) has an opaque blue/purple color and an extraordinarily sweet nose of charcoal, lead pencil shavings, cedar wood, black currants, licorice and spice box. Full-bodied, with great intensity, purity and texture, this is a wonderfully dense, full-throttle wine that is still an adolescent and likely to stay one for at least another 5-7 years. Look for it to age gracefully well past 20-30+ years. (RP) 98+” (06/2011)

“Has stunning fruit, for starters. Sheer, pure, concentrated nose of cassis and cherry. Subtle oak in the background, lending vanilla, toast and caramel nuances. Fabulous texture and weight, fine as velvet. Magnificently lush, full-bodied. Fantastic finish.” (06/2005)

“The 2001 Melbury has developed quite a bit since I last tasted it four years ago. There's still quite a bit of energy, but the signs of maturity are now evident. Sweet dried cherry, tobacco, spice, cedar, licorice and dried herbs lend nuance. Today, the Melbury is rather understated and classy, whereas in previous tastings I have found it more powerful. (AG)” (10/2021)

“Only ever so slightly starting to unfold from its tannic slumber; this is still dense and chewy, but offering more depth to the blackberry, black licorice, roasted herb and game flavors and ending with a solid wall of tannin that lets the fruit seep through. (JL)” (10/2011)