2007 Bond Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend Horizontal Tasting Lot (OWC) — "Melbury," "Pluribus," "Quella," "St. Eden" & "Vecina"

“Out of bottle, the 2007 Melbury is even more impressive than it was from barrel. Aromas of cedarwood, barbecue spice, licorice, spring flowers, black currants and sweet kirsch jump from the glass of this dense purple-colored wine. A full-bodied texture, wonderful opulence, sweet velvety tannins and an extraordinary integration of all its component parts make for a prodigious Cabernet Sauvignon to drink over the next 25-30+ years. (RP)” (12/2010)

“Wonderful aromas of sage, mint, dark berries, and carroway. Full bodied, with layers of dark berries and dark chocolate that lead up to an intense finish. They don't make wines like this anymore. Powerful and nostalgic.” (02/2011)

“Another highly expressive wine, the 2007 Melbury is a pure joy to taste. Sweet tobacco, herbs, dried flowers, menthol and licorice add aromatic intrigue. There is a good bit of complexity and raciness in the glass. Even so, the 2007 could use a bit more time for the tannins to soften. (AG)” (11/2017)

“Firm, intense and vibrant, with dense, vivid wild berry, raspberry and blackberry fruit that's ripe, tight and framed by toasty, cedary oak flavors. Full-bodied, ending with chewy tannins, this needs both time and aeration. The most reserved of the Bond wines. (JL)” (10/2010)

“The 2007 Pluribus (the highest elevation vineyard of all these parcels) exhibits tell-tale Spring Mountain characteristics of acacia (or is it violets?) flowers interwoven with blueberry liqueur, black raspberries, cassis and crushed rocks. (RP) 98+” (12/2010)

“Wonderful aromatics lead to a rich, layered mix of spicy currant, blackberry, wild berry and currant flavors that are full-bodied, intense, dense and concentrated, slow to reveal pleasing earth, black licorice, graphite and roasted herb. The tannins give the flavors great traction. (JL)” (10/2010)

“Saturated medium ruby. Captivating floral lift to the aromas of inky black cherry and mint. Thick, chewy and sweet; a hugely tactile wine with its dark fruit intensity leavened a bit by a savory element. Finishes a bit youthfully clenched, with huge but ripe tannins and excellent length. Not the most elegant style of Cabernet but a classic example of Spring Mountain. (ST)” (03/2017)

“This is decadent. Layers and layers of porcini mushrooms, wet forest floor, and dark fruits. Full bodied, powerful, with everything going for it.” (04/2011)

“The 2007 Quella performed slightly better than I predicted last year. A magical combination of blueberry liqueur intermixed with crushed rock, spring flowers (violets?), earth, pen ink and burning ember leads to a full-bodied, majestically rich wine with a multilayered texture, silky tannins and a phenomenally long finish of over 50 seconds. (RP)” (12/2010)

“Voluptuous and racy in the glass, with terrific freshness, the 2007 Quella has it all. Raspberry jam, blood orange and sweet floral notes add brightness throughout. Silky, ripe and alluring, the 2007 is one of the many standouts in this vintage. (AG)” (11/2017)

“A tremendous effort, firm, intense, dense and concentrated, offering a wonderful mix of mineral, fresh earth, dried currant and herb, with touches of tobacco and cedar. Full-bodied, yet at points supple given its youth, but the finish sails on and on. (JL)” (10/2010)

“Not surprisingly, the 2007 St. Eden flirts with perfection. Another Pauillac look-alike, it offers up glorious aromas of cedarwood, creme de cassis, spice box, high class unsmoked cigar tobacco, roasted herbs and a hint of mocha. The complex aromas brilliantly conceal the long aging in new French oak. This compelling, singular, full-bodied, multilayered, sensational Cabernet Sauvignon can be drunk early (because of the flamboyance and unctuosity of the vintage), but promises to provide thrilling consumption in 30+ years. (RP)” (12/2010)

“Racy and explosive on the palate, with soft curves and exceptional balance, the 2007 St. Eden dazzles from the very first taste. Still very young and quite dense, the 2007 has more than enough richness to drink well for many years to come. The 2007 captures the opulence and sensuality that is so typical of the wines of Eastern Oakville. Simply put, the 2007 St. Eden is a total knockout. (AG)” (11/2017)

“Nice dark fruits, fresh mushrooms, and flowers on the nose. Reminiscent of an Amarone or two I've had. Full bodied, with loads of fruit on top of a thick and deep palate. This is very balanced and pretty.” (04/2011)

“A perfect wine, the 2007 Vecina provides a prodigious display of blackberries, charcoal, black currants, burning embers and a La Mission-Haut-Brion-like hot rock/gravelly character. The most tannic as well as most concentrated and layered of the 2007s, this is a long-term, but utterly brilliant wine. In many ways it reminds me of the Harlan Estate itself given its prodigious build and potential for extended longevity. (RP)” (12/2010)

“The 2007 Vecina is the first wine in the flight that is somewhere close to being ready to drink. Sumptuous and racy, with soft contours and tons of flesh, the 2007 is irresistible. Even with all of its opulence, the 2007 captures the essential power and structure of this great Oakville site. (AG)” (11/2017)

“Exhibits a pleasing, dense mix of loamy earth, mineral, graphite and dried currant, with touches of blackberry and wild berry. Full-bodied, deep and structured, ending with gripping tannins and a persistent finish. Very young and closed. (JL)” (10/2010)