Bond - Vecina 2005

THE WINE ADVOCATE: WINEADVOCATE:"005 Cabernet Sauvignon Vecina is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in 100% new oak, like the other cuvées. It is from an 11-acre site directly southeast of the Bond Winery, close to Harlan Estate. This wine tends to be the closest to the Harlan Estate in quality, with notes of new saddle leather, blackberry, roasted coffee and a hint of chocolate – and again – graphite and subtle smoke. Opaque purple, but still incredibly youthful, the wine is spicy, intense, full-bodied and majestic. There is a deep tone to this massive Cabernet Sauvignon, which is set for another 25 or 30 years of life, although it certainly is accessible at present."

FALSTAFF: FALSTAFF:"Kräftiges Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung mit Wasserrand. In der Nase Anklänge von reifem Brombeerkonfit, süße Pflaumen, Nougat und Vanille, süße Gewürze, sehr einladendes Bukett. Stoffig, extraktsüße Textur, wieder ein Hauch von Dörrzwetschken, feine Struktur, salzig und mineralisch im Abgang, besitzt große Länge, Nuancen von kandierten Orangenzesten, bereits gut antrinkbar, mit weiterem Potenzial ausgestattet."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: WINE ENTHUSIAST:"Very refined, with lovely perfume. Heady, showing currants, cassis, cedar, chocolate-covered cherries and sweet herbs. Decadent, classy, elegant, with a great tannin structure. Just oozes class."

WINE SPECTATOR: WINE SPECTATOR:"Intense and racy wild berry and blackberry fruit is flashy, tight, pure, focused and beautifully defined, picking up a nice dusty berry edge, with hints of black licorice, and offering wonderful depth, richness and persistence. Best from 2010 through 2018."

DECANTER: DECANTER:"Bond is a label created by Bill Harlan of Harlan Estate to vinify the grapes of 5 hillside properties he considers of outstanding quality. Made by the same winemaking team as Harlan, this wine is from a 5-hectare site on east-facing, sedimentary soils in Oakville. The colour is still very deep, with just a slight evolution. The nose is vibrant, with minty, savoury, blackberry aromas. This is rich and velvety, concentrated of course, and supported by very ripe tannins. The oak still seems quite dominant, and the finish is spicy, chocolatey and long."

JAMES SUCKLING: JAMES SUCKLING:"Loads of violets, flowers, and dark fruits on the nose. Full bodied, with dusty tannins and a medium finish. A wonderful nose but the finish could use a little more. Pull the cork. 14+23+22+32."

JANCIS ROBINSON: JANCIS ROBINSON:"Already showing some savoury maturity, there is a sweet-and-sour note of desiccated cherry, worn leather and dried leaves. Warm and spicy on the palate, with a chalky texture that shows less tannic refinement than the 2015. Good mid-palate density of fruit still. Earthy but ripe through to the finish."