Bond - Melbury 2003

The Wine Advocate: WINEADVOCATE:"The 2003 Melbury comes from a slopeside site on the northern side of Lake Hennessey, opposite the Rutherford valley floor. Winemaker Bob Levy compares the 2003 to the 2006 because of the wet winter and spring and the summer’s heat spikes. A brilliant effort from sedimentary soil with rocks over compacted clay, it is a gorgeous wine offering raspberry, black currant, spring flower and blueberry characteristics along with a dense purple color, a full-bodied, multilayered mouthfeel and sweet tannin. This stunningly rich hillside Cabernet Sauvignon should reach full maturity in 4-5 years and keep for 15-20 years thereafter."

Wine Enthusiast: WINE ENTHUSIAST:"Fairly high in alcohol, this sumptuous red wine is almost sweet in fudgy, macaroon, cherry pie filling and chocolate truffle flavors, with a candied opulence all the way through. Yet it's dry. The 100% new oak adds to the caramelly, meringue taste. Elegant and voluptuous, it's an unabashed beauty, firmly in the Harlan style."

Wine Spectator: WINE SPECTATOR:"Rich and concentrated, with tiers of currant, blackberry and black cherry that run deep and pure, gaining momentum midpalate and ending with a strong, intense, focused finish. Shows a trace of heat, but delivers lots of enticing flavors. Best from 2007 through 2013. 700 cases made."