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
Blackberry, asphalt, leather and spice with dried flowers. Medium-to full-bodied with fine, layered tannins that are vertical and extremely deep and long. Super fine tannins. Seamless. Lasts for minutes. Graceful and thoughtful. Drink after 2027.
99 Points Wine Advocate
My pick of the 2019s from Bond is the 2019 Vecina, which originates from a terraced, east-facing vineyard near the Bond winery, in the western hills of Oakville. It offers tremendous complexity on the nose, with hints of bay leaf, dried sage and pine needles set against a core of ripe cherries and raspberries. In the mouth, it’s silky and lush, with terrific length and vibrant fruit on the finish. Give it a few years of age, then drink it over the next two decades.
100 Points Jeb Dunnuck
The 2019 Vecina is pure perfection, with a full-bodied, rich, concentrated, yet ultra-pure style that literally stopped me in my tracks. Cassis, currants, graphite, iron, violets, and spicy oak are just some of the nuances here, and this beauty is perfectly balanced, with that rare mix of richness and elegance. This world-class, regal, incredibly impressive Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon will benefit from 5-7 years of bottle age and keep for three decades.