Bond Melbury 2016
-
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Suckling
James -
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
The name Melbury is in homage to an historic area in London, where the estate owners reside much of the year. Since its debut with the 1999 vintage, the consistent hallmarks of Melbury have been plush red fruits (currants, bing cherries), redolent with spice and the scent of violets. Elegance and a supple texture define the structure of this wine. The particular exposition of this rocky 7-acre hillside vineyard is southerly overlooking Lake Hennessey, allowing the vines to capture the morning sun yet moderating afternoon temperatures.
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
Moving to the single vineyard releases, the 2016 Melbury is pure perfection in a glass and is the finest vintage of this cuvée I’ve tasted. Awesome notes of cassis, blackcurrants, toasted bread, white flowers, and spice give way to an ethereal, seamless, yet opulent wine that has that rare mix of power and elegance possessed by all truly great wines. Full-bodied, concentrated, and with building yet perfectly ripe tannins, do your best to give bottles 4-5 years of bottle age. It will evolve effortlessly for 30 years or more.
-
James Suckling
Blueberries, forest floor, and hints of fresh flowers on the nose. Full-bodied, very dense and polished with amazingly tight and integrated fruit. Persistent finish. The tannins melt into the wine. Complete. Drink after 2023.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Overlooking Lake Hennessy up on Pritchard Hill, Melbury vineyard has produced a beautifully elegant and vivacious signature in 2016, which clearly reveals the personality that this incredible site tends to want to give. Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Melbury comes bounding out of the glass with expressive black and red currants notes followed by wild blueberries, warm plums, pencil shavings and wild sage plus wafts of lavender and crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is practically electric with energetic fruit, framed by firm, grainy tannins and invigorating freshness, finishing long and minerally.
Rating: 97+ -
Wine Spectator
Featuring currant and fig notes, this offers a juicy, slightly rounded feel, revealing melted licorice, sweet tobacco and warm gravel accents along the way. Shows most of its muscle on the finish and shuts down a bit in the glass, indicating that cellaring is required. Best from 2022 through 2040.
Other Vintages
2019-
Suckling
James - Vinous
- Decanter
-
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine
-
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Parker
Robert -
Suckling
James -
Spectator
Wine
-
Suckling
James -
Parker
Robert
-
Parker
Robert -
Suckling
James
-
Suckling
James -
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine
- Vinous
-
Parker
Robert
-
Parker
Robert -
Suckling
James -
Spectator
Wine
-
Spectator
Wine
-
Suckling
James -
Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert
-
Parker
Robert -
Suckling
James -
Spectator
Wine
-
Suckling
James -
Parker
Robert -
Enthusiast
Wine -
Spectator
Wine -
Spirits
Wine &
-
Parker
Robert
-
Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert -
Enthusiast
Wine
-
Parker
Robert -
Enthusiast
Wine
-
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine -
Enthusiast
Wine
-
Parker
Robert
-
Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.