Bond - Quella 2012

ANTONIO GALLONI: "Soft and caressing, the 2012 Quella is quite expressive today. Dark cherry, cedar, tobacco, smoke, licorice, incense and rose petal, along with soft silky contours, give the wine its distinct personality. Bright red stone fruit and lifted floral notes convey an impression of total sensuality. The 2012 is very pretty, but like so many wines in this vintage, it is a bit one-dimensional, especially when compared to some of the true standouts in this range."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Lots of hot stones and slate on the nose with flowers. Full body and a tight and dense mouthfeel. It lasts a long time with a salty and pomace undertones. Tight and muscular. Better in 2018."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Inky on color, the wine is intensely concentrated, opulent, round and powerful. There is a depth of flavor combining black and blue fruits, smoke, vanilla bean, licorice and dark chocolate. The layers of deep fruits are impossible not to notice. But it's the lusty, luscious styling on the palate, with grace, roundness and purity, that leave the biggest impression. Drink now, if you enjoy primary fruit, or age it, for more earthness. Either way, this is a special bottle of California Cabernet Sauvignon."

THE WINEADVOCATE: "A provocative effort that is a potential candidate for perfection is the 2012 Quella Proprietary Red Blend from Pritchard Hill, a site that tends to produce wines of great delineation, precision and perfume. This opulent, full-bodied effort reveals fabulous fruit, freshness and focus as well as super depth, and an extravagantly rich mouthfeel without being heavy or over-the-top. A sensational wine, it should drink well for three decades."