Bond Melbury Napa Valley 2002

Bond Melbury Napa Valley 2002 is a monumental Cabernet Sauvignon from Bill Harlan's single-vineyard project in the western hills near Lake Hennessey, Napa Valley, California, renowned for its opulent power and extraordinary aging grace.

Critic tasting note: (2002 vintage)

"Dense, rich, concentrated and packed with loads of sweet black fruits, smoke, espresso beans, dark chocolate and earthy characteristics, this was young and intense and will only get better with age. 97 Points" - Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

Robert Parker The Wine Advocate (100/100)

"The 2002 Melbury, which comes from a hillside vineyard site near Lake Hennessey, is showing even better than it did in its youth. Probably years away from full maturity, the wine has an extraordinary aromatic profile of smoky meats intermixed with blackberry, crème de cassis, charcoal, lead pencil shavings and espresso. Dense, opulent and full-bodied, with terrific fruit, this is a showcase style of vintage for a wine of such great ripeness and massive intensity. This extraordinary effort displays oodles of glycerin and fabulous purity, while the oak has been completely absorbed. The cooler hillside climate of blue fruits and spring flowers is also present as the wine aerates in the glass. This wine has at least another 15-30 years of potential ahead of it.

These three Bond wines, the third vintage from entrepreneur and proprietor Bill Harlan, continue to validate his visionary belief in their potential." - Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Tasting Profile

Dense purple hue with aromas of smoky meats, blackberry, creme de cassis, charcoal, espresso, lead pencil, spring flowers, and blue fruits. The full-bodied palate explodes with glycerin-rich concentration, fabulous purity, sweet velvety tannins, and extraordinary integration.

Key Traits

• Body: Opulent and voluptuous, with massive intensity, low acidity, and silky texture.

• Aging: Still years from full maturity with 15-40+ years potential (100 RP); pairs with ribeye, wild game, or truffled dishes.

• Terroir: Cooler hillside site yields dense, showcase ripeness and massive fruit depth.