Bond - Vecina 2016

THE WINE ADVOCATE: WINEADVOCATE:"Vecina vineyard is located in the western foothills of Oakville, just to the south-east of the winery (up on Oakville Grade). Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Vecina slips sensuously out of the glass with gorgeous black cherries, kirsch, wild blueberries and blackcurrant pastilles notes plus suggestions of bouquet garni, pencil lead, tilled earth and underbrush. Full-bodied, taut and packed with ripe, expressive, exquisitely accented black and blue fruits, it has loads of earthy sparks and a compelling fine-grained nature to the firm texture, finishing long and layered. This bright, energetic, incredibly nuanced beauty is built like a brick house and, while approachable in youth, is easily a 50-year wine. I therefore urge readers to wait at least 5-7 years before opening to allow for the myriad of subtle nuances to emerge and offer that "WOW" experience that will reward patience."

JAMES SUCKLING: JAMES SUCKLING:"Blackberry, black-truffle, sliced-mushroom and dried-beef aromas. Full-bodied, broad shouldered and amazingly structured and layered. Dense, extremely long and intense. It’s seamless and goes on for minutes. Great wine. Give it time to give you even more. Better after 2022."

JEB DUNNUCK: JEB DUNNUCK:"The 2016 Vecina got a few expletives in my notes, and it’s one of the more powerful, structured, inward wines in the lineup. From a site on the western side of the appellation (not far from Harlan Estate), its deep purple color is followed by stunning notes of crushed rocks, violets, chocolate, graphite, and cold steel. It’s an incredible, insanely good Cabernet that’s going to benefit from a decade of bottle age and keep for 30 years or more."

FALSTAFF: FALSTAFF:"Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Dezente Brombeernoten, zart nach Cassis, feine Tabaknuancen, reife Kirschenfrucht. Kraftvoll, elegant, süßes, samtiges Tannin, schwarze Kirschen und Zwetschken im Abgang, vielschichtig, eindeutiges Reifepotenzial."

WINE SPECTATOR: WINE SPECTATOR:"Intense from the get-go, featuring dark currant and steeped plum fruit, wrapped in licorice root, warm gravel and espresso cream notes. The long, muscular finish smolders, with juniper and tobacco elements keeping pace with the fruit. Seriously built. Best from 2022 through 2038."