Bond - Melbury Napa Valley 2018
Price: $999.99
Sale: $799.98
Producer | Bond |
Country | United States |
Region | California |
Subregion | Napa Valley |
Varietal | Proprietary Red |
Vintage | 2018 |
Sku | 79623 |
Size | 750ml |
Bond Description
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.
The season began much later than the other crus with budbreak occurring in the last week of April. The unique clay that overlays this hillside vineyard allowed the vines to flourish due to a timely spring rain. Fruit set was small, given the nature of the vintage. Harvest was finished in one week during mid-October. The spherical entry releases an impetuous energy that flirts with the edges. The wine gently settles into its normal position with the depth and charm that are so ubiquitous among the vintages from this cru. There is a feeling of joy that sits beneath the surface of an enveloping and generous finish.
Vinous Media: 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.
Jeb Dunnuck: 97-99 Points
Leading off the 2018s from barrel, the 2018 Melbury is spectacular juice, offering an already complex nose of cassis and black raspberry fruits intermixed with notes of dried flowers, graphite, chalky mineral, and spice. All about elegance and purity, it’s full-bodied, flawlessly balanced, and a great wine in the making.
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. Melbury vineyard is on Pritchard Hill, overlooking Lake Hennessy.
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.
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