Bond - Melbury Napa Valley 2017 (750ml)

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Producer	Bond
Country	United States
Region	California
Subregion	Napa Valley
Varietal	Proprietary Red
Vintage	2017
Sku	131022
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

2017 VINTAGE NOTES

Budbreak was delayed until the end of April due to early spring rains. This shift in timing helped the vineyard weather the summer heat, and as fall approached it looked to be a promising year for this site. Harvest began on September 27th and fortunately we were able to harvest the key components of Melbury before the wildfires broke out.

The nose contains all of the classic red fruit intermixed, as well as fresh violets and baking spice. As is often the case, the mineral facet of Melbury is felt as a salty tinge within its rich velvet layers. The vintage uniquely highlights the gravity that this wine has and demonstrates an almost endless depth. As the wine lingers it embraces the emotional nature of this vintage with a calm reflection.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM

97 points Jeb Dunnuck

The 2017 Melbury comes from a vineyard north of Lake Hennessey with more clay soil. It offers more red and blue fruits as well as pretty floral, spice, and mineral nuances. These carry to a medium to full-bodied, beautifully elegant, seamless Cabernet that has silky tannins and no hard edges. All about charm and balance, this is a seriously good 2017 that will evolve gracefully. (01/2021)

96-97 points James Suckling

This rolls over the palate with wonderful, intense and firm tannins that are nicely polished and refined. Lots of berry, currant and hazelnut character. Tiny production. Only four barrels. (01/2020)

96 points Wine Advocate

Melbury vineyard is on Pritchard Hill, overlooking Lake Hennessy. Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Melbury leaps from the glass with exuberant scents of Morello cherries, blackcurrant jelly and mulberries with hints of violets, wild sage and tilled soil. Full-bodied, rich and plush with lovely freshness and finely knit tannins, it finishes with long-lingering, evocative earth nuances. (LPB, 01/2021)

96 points Vinous

The 2017 Melbury is a rich, sumptuous wine with a bit more volume and intensity than is often the case. All the typical Melbury signatures are present - the red berry fruit and the floral top notes in particular. The 2017 is a decidedly potent, heady Melbury that has really gained in both fruit depth and structural intensity since I last saw it as a barrel sample. The 2017 clearly needs time to soften though, as the tannins are imposing. In 2017, the Melbury is made only from the top blocks, which means production is down around 40%. (LPB, 01/2021)