BOND is a philosophy of creating premium wines from a single variety (Cabernet Sauvignon) from ‘grand cru’ site specific Napa Valley vineyards. This story begins when founder Bill Harlan owned Merryvale Winery in St. Helena and Bob Levy was his winemaker. At the time Merryvale worked with around 60 vineyards in the valley; ultimately Bob recognized several vineyards that stood out from the rest based on quality of site.
After Bill sold Merryvale, both he and Bob pursued a vision in which they would work together to create an estate built around select vineyards in the Napa Valley. In 1997 BOND was created.
Today five premium vineyards are under the BOND portfolio. These vineyards were hand selected and evaluated over a number of years before becoming part of their portfolio. Total production of each wine is between 450 and 600 cases a year.
99 points James Suckling
This is so open and perfumed with blackcurrants, stone and conifer. Full-bodied with fine, velvety tannins that spread across the palate in a layered way. Wonderfully polished and powdered. Rather ethereal. Try this after 2027.
98 Points Jeb Dunnuck
Coming from more sandy soils, the 2019 Quella is another elegant, pure, focused wine from this team. Red plums, mulberries, iron, spice, and tobacco all flow to a medium to full-bodied, seamless beauty that has plenty of tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. It’s perfumed and complex, yet the palate needs 4-5 years of bottle age to soften up.