{"title":"Bond","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"bond-estates-melbury-proprietary-red-2018","title":"Bond Estates Melbury Proprietary Red 2018","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBond Estates Melbury Proprietary Red 2018\u003c\/strong\u003e is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant Napa Valley red blend bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. This single-vineyard release earned 98 points from both Antonio Galloni and James Suckling, placing it among the most critically lauded Napa reds of the vintage.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2018  |  Producer: Bond Estate\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBond Estate operates as a portfolio of single-vineyard wines under the creative direction of Bill Harlan, each bottling expressing a distinct Napa Valley terroir. The Melbury vineyard sits on slopes north of Lake Hennessey in the hills east of Rutherford, at elevations between 348 and 522 feet, planted on ancient sedimentary soil with compressed clay. It was one of the first hillside vineyards in Napa Valley developed with vertical rather than horizontal row orientation—a decision that influences drainage, sun exposure, and vine stress. The 2018 is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, aged approximately 18 to 22 months in French oak barrels. Bond wines receive essentially the same winemaking regimen as Harlan Estate, underscoring the quality benchmark at which this estate operates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e The nose opens with a deep garnet-purple intensity, releasing bold scents of cassis and black raspberry that give way to dried flowers, graphite, and chalky minerality. Subtle layers of cinnamon toast, Sichuan pepper, and rose petal emerge with air.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e The entry is bright and pure, delivering blueberries, fresh plums, and dark blackberry preserves across the palate. At mid-palate, sassafras and apple wood accents emerge alongside sweet bay leaf, tobacco, and a sanguine undercurrent. The wine is medium- to full-bodied with ripe concentration that never overwhelms its structural elegance.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long and layered, with fine-grained tannins that carry lingering notes of black tea, dark cherry, and sweet spice. The mineral thread from the nose reasserts itself, lending persistence and definition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Melbury 2018\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis wine rewards patient decanting—45 to 60 minutes allows the aromatics to fully unfold—and is best served at cellar temperature, around 60–65°F, in a large-bowled Bordeaux glass. Melbury 2018 is built for the table rather than cocktails. Pair it with grilled bone-in ribeye to complement the wine's dark fruit and smoky undertones. Braised short ribs with root vegetables mirror the wine's depth and earthy mineral notes. A charcuterie board featuring aged salami and hard cheeses bridges the savory, spice-driven finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCellaring alongside other top Napa Valley Cabernet vintages for long-term aging potential\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGifting a serious wine collector who appreciates single-vineyard Napa expressions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnchoring a special-occasion dinner featuring prime cuts or game\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVertical or horizontal tastings comparing Bond's vineyard-specific terroir differences\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Melbury 2018 taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e Melbury 2018 leads with concentrated black fruit—cassis, blackberry, and plum—layered with graphite, tobacco, sweet bay leaf, and a chalky mineral backbone. Fine tannins and bright acidity give the wine structure without heaviness.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Melbury 2018 compare to Harlan Estate?\u003c\/strong\u003e Bond wines receive essentially the same winemaking treatment as Harlan Estate, as both projects share the vision of Bill Harlan, but Melbury emphasizes a distinct hillside terroir east of Rutherford rather than the Oakville benchland character of Harlan. The result is a wine with more pronounced minerality and a slightly different fruit profile while operating at a comparable quality tier.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Melbury 2018 good for aging?\u003c\/strong\u003e The 2018 vintage's ripe, fine-grained tannins and structural acidity suggest strong cellaring potential over the next 15 to 25 years, though it already drinks well with extended decanting.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Melbury 2018 made?\u003c\/strong\u003e Melbury is produced by Bond Estate in Napa Valley, California, from a single vineyard located on slopes north of Lake Hennessey in the hills east of Rutherford, at elevations of 348 to 522 feet.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Melbury 2018?\u003c\/strong\u003e Grilled bone-in ribeye complements the dark fruit and smoky oak. Braised lamb shanks echo the wine's earthy depth. Aged Comté or Gruyère bridge the mineral finish. Mushroom risotto highlights the wine's savory, forest-floor undertones. Dark chocolate with high cacao content mirrors the wine's tannin structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Melbury 2018 come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e The standard release is a 750ml bottle; limited large-format bottles may exist depending on the vintage allocation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Melbury 2018 worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e Melbury positions firmly in the ultra-premium tier of Napa Valley Cabernet, and its 98-point scores from both Galloni and Suckling place it among the most critically acclaimed wines in its price class, competing directly with estates like Harlan and Screaming Eagle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Melbury 2018?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDual 98-point scores from Antonio Galloni and James Suckling, alongside 97 points from Lisa Perrotti-Brown, establish the 2018 as one of Melbury's highest-rated vintages. The vineyard's unusual vertical row orientation and ancient sedimentary soils at elevation produce a wine with a mineral signature that sets it apart from valley-floor Napa Cabernets. Under the same winemaking philosophy as Harlan Estate, Melbury 2018 delivers the concentration and structure expected at this level while retaining a site-specific identity rooted in its east-Rutherford hillside terroir. For collectors and serious drinkers seeking single-vineyard Napa at its most precise, this bottling justifies its reputation.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bond","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44837589745833,"sku":"25727","price":799.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/BOND-ESTATES-MELBURY-PROPRIETARY-RED-2009__61128.jpg?v=1730487440"}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/bond.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}