Bond - Melbury Napa Valley 2015 (750ml)

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Price: $643.99

Producer	Bond
Country	United States
Region	California
Subregion	Napa Valley
Varietal	Proprietary Red
Vintage	2015
Sku	131032
Size	750ml

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WINEMAKERS NOTES

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.

ELEVATION: 348-522 feet

2015 VINTAGE NOTES

An early budbreak on March 19th was followed by a cool spring that reduced fruit-set, and therefore yield. Summer’s heat was a constant threat until the grapes were picked. Harvest began on September 18th, and ultimately comprised 16 harvest passes over the course of two weeks.

Sweet spice and black cherry are just some of the aromatic highlights of this provocative example of Melbury. The wines’ ubiquitous charm is demonstrated by velvety layers of ripe red fruits and a soft mineral tinge. The wine holds forth on the front of the palate with a volume filling richness that slowly contracts into a long and inexplicably fine finish.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM

99 points Jeb Dunnuck

Another gem in the lineup, the 2015 Melbury has a more feminine, elegant, seamless profile that certainly doesn’t lack for fruit. Loaded with notions of cassis, blueberries, flowers, and violets, it’s ethereal and elegant on the palate, with sweet fruit and opulence galore. It picks up ample tannins as well as mid-palate depth with time in the glass, is perfectly balanced, and has another 3-4 decades of longevity. (JD, 01/2019)

97 points Wine Advocate

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. (LPB, 10/2018)

96 points Decanter

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. (KM, 07/2019)

96 points James Suckling

Beautiful blueberries, chocolate, walnuts and coffee beans. Full body, firm and chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. (JS, 05/2018)

95 points Wine Spectator

A dense, ripe, loamy style, with lots of licorice, steeped black currant and tar notes in the mix, along with macerated plum and açaí berry and a brambly undertow on the finish. Weighty for sure but has energy, with a good buried iron note on the finish. (JM, 10/2019)