Bond: With Bill Harlan’s assertions that he is crafting wines from the Bond brand that are designed to age, then the 2002 Vecina makes a compelling argument as to why that is indeed true. Earthy and savory, this 20-year-old is at the top of its game in terms of resolve and complexity. It certainly shows its evolution (so, depending on your preference, that may or may not be desirable necessarily), with dusty blackberry, mushroom, cedar, coffee, and leather notes rolling along the palate with notable focus and freshness. The flavors taste aged but the intensity is not lacking in the slightest. Balanced and attentive, with a delectable side to it that begs for a dimly lit piano room in Paris and a cardigan sweater that smells of sweet tobacco.
From the perspective of brilliance and juiciness, I say start killing these sooner than later. Cresting now, if not already perhaps slightly on the descent in its evolution. The tertiary flavors are indeed evident and at the forefront here.
Decanted over cocktails but I would suggest two hours. Firmly structured, dense, masculine Cab blend with blackcurrant, cocoa, espresso, very long finish. This is a wonderfully made wine with many years ahead.
Decanted 1 hr prior to evaluation. Evaluated at 2-4 hrs., cork in fabulous shape, lots of sediment clinging to one side of the bottle! Color is a gorgeous deep dark burgundy. Bouquet of roses with a sent of wood and caramel candied apple on the end. I could go on and on about the nose! Wow! Pallet is of red and blue fruits however they’re well under control by the acidity and mostly integrated tannins. Drinking nicely now, not sure how much time this wine has to mature further but, I hope to find… out!! I believe this wine is on an ascension
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Decanted 30 minutes. Dense dark purple color. Bursting with exotic blackberries, currants and earth. Powerful on the palate with deep black fruits, licorice, smoky oak and a bit of earthy minerality. Pure, not hedonistic but very long, deep satisfying finish. This terrific wine seems like it is near peak, yet has easily another decade of wonderful drinking remaining. 95+
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Nose of menthol, syrup, earthy and bold red fruit even after 18 years of age. Medium mouth feel with still some strong tannins after a 4 hour decant. The finish is huge, long and lingers for a minute plus with complexity. Great wine & producer.
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1 hour decant at home Initially tight and somewhat tannic and slightly high in heat. Definitely better in hour two Blackberry, compote , some chocolate , and savory earthy richness with a spicy finish. What’s going to fade first, the grippy tannin or the aged but rich fruit. That’s going to be interesting and I’ll revisit this in a few years.
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Some of the exuberance of youth has been tamed by age fifteen. Still, bold fruit and quite oaky. Really monochromatic, the fruit is all blackberries. If there’s no complexity by this point, I doubt there ever will be any. The first glass is the best.
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Structured, firm, fresh style here, with a complex nose of smoke, licorice, tobacco, black cherry and blue fruit. Ripe fruits and length, full bodied and concentrated, with freshness and complexity, this is drinking just great today.
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Outstanding deep, bold, big Cabernet. Needed a 4 hour decant but was still outstanding. Smooth, rich, dark chocolate, warm vanilla extract, chocolate covered cherries, cinnamon, and earth. This baby is built to last. Lots of time left.
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Found this on the wine list at Son'z Maui at the Hyatt Regency by Lahaina. We were celebrating our 31st wedding anniversary.
Superb nose of blackberries, chocolate, mint and meat. I could smell it sitting in the decanter 2 feet away. Decanted for 90 minutes while we enjoyed some Champagne and Chablis with our starters. Opaque purple in the glass. Almost "chewy" in your mouth. Big big on the palate with more meat, cassis and dark cherries. Smooth as silk with a wonderful lingering finish. It seemed to get more lush and powerful over the next 2 hours. Paired with a bone in ribeye and Ahi Tuna it was the perfect compliment. Probably could have used more air time.
Ok. I really liked it. My note is no doubt enhanced by the fact I was sitting on Maui overlooking the Pacific with my beautiful wife of 31 years.
I think I will try one at home with a long slow ox to see what is possible. Enjoy !!!
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Decanted for 8 hours and then drank after a Laurent 96 clos de la Roche and a 90 leoville and Bill Harlan's idea of creating a napa first growth or thereabouts held up. The vecina was excellent with integrated silky tannins, mouth filling flavor of chocolate, cassis, fine tobacco, dark fruits, and a lengthy finish. Yum! One lonely copy left now.
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Enjoyed with New York on Bone, potatoes with bacon, heirloom tomatoes. Outstanding pairing. Depth, complexity, huge finish with flavors of concentrated blueberries, mint in the midpalate. Outstanding!!
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Nose of baked fruits and chocolatey oak. Very different than the other two wines on the palate. This has dense, rich fruit that is not as expressive. This may actually need more time or air to unwind which gave it more interest for me.
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Decanted 4 hours. Very dark and dense all the way to the rim. Thick coating on the glass, barely starting to mature, 90;82. Lovely nose of mint, anise and roasted fruits. Initially it is fat but tightens up and becomes very fresh. Excellent balance, crisp acidity. Not huge on the palate to start but it builds steadily in the mouth to an explosive finish, leading into a very long aftertaste of anise and black currant. Lots of aromatics on he palate, spicy oak and black currants. This has the typical restrained power I always get on the great Levy wines.
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Not as thick and heavy as it was a few years ago, settling down nicely, but still very young tasting. Tannins have softened somewhat, but there is structure here to age a while longer. Long finish, still has the chocolate accents it had when young, but to a much lesser degree. I like this now better than when tasted on release. It is developing positively.
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Bedrock overlain with fine grained alluvial wash. Eastern exposure. A nice linear wine, long lasting. Blackberry and mineral. Earthy fruit is well in the background, very highly rated by WS but does not transalte for me.
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bordering greatness. wondeerful big nose of dark fruits and chocolate. not hot at all. palate coats with same dark fruits, mocha, cocoa and some spice. tannins are big but very tolerable at this point. will get better in the future. finishes wonderfully long and volupuous.
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Thick, rich, and massive - this is pure cabernet. Still quite tannic on the finish, but the wine coats your palate with a thick finish. Lots of dark fruits, and chocolate notes, which is consistent with other notes that I have read on the wine. Pleasurable to drink but clearly opened far too soon. Sit on the next bottle for two more years at least.
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The nose of this wine had bold, dark fruits, mocha, some lighter scents that I just couldn't pick out. The palate had blackberry and cherry flavors, with notes of chocolate and maybe even hazelnut. Great mouthfeel and a medium to long finish. Tasted next to an 02 Harlan Maiden. This was a great bottle to be able to try with friends.
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Very deep, thick color. Potent nose of intense blackberries and boysenberries with chocolaty cassis and a hint of dill. Deeply chocolaty to the point of over-sweet with rich boysenberry fruit with a minty undertone all within a structured framework. Finishes with substantial tannins and palate-staining intensity along with some heat. A huge wine that still needs time, it's interesting to taste but tiring to drink and a bit too excessive for me.
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9/21/2022 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Strong ans robust and heavy.
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6/9/2022 - csimm wrote: 95 Points
Bond: With Bill Harlan’s assertions that he is crafting wines from the Bond brand that are designed to age, then the 2002 Vecina makes a compelling argument as to why that is indeed true. Earthy and savory, this 20-year-old is at the top of its game in terms of resolve and complexity. It certainly shows its evolution (so, depending on your preference, that may or may not be desirable necessarily), with dusty blackberry, mushroom, cedar, coffee, and leather notes rolling along the palate with notable focus and freshness. The flavors taste aged but the intensity is not lacking in the slightest. Balanced and attentive, with a delectable side to it that begs for a dimly lit piano room in Paris and a cardigan sweater that smells of sweet tobacco.
From the perspective of brilliance and juiciness, I say start killing these sooner than later. Cresting now, if not already perhaps slightly on the descent in its evolution. The tertiary flavors are indeed evident and at the forefront here.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (11)
8/11/2021 - Quiet Lion Likes this wine: 98 Points
Decanted over cocktails but I would suggest two hours. Firmly structured, dense, masculine Cab blend with blackcurrant, cocoa, espresso, very long finish. This is a wonderfully made wine with many years ahead.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (3)
6/22/2021 - DWStyle Likes this wine: 96 Points
Decanted 1 hr prior to evaluation. Evaluated at 2-4 hrs., cork in fabulous shape, lots of sediment clinging to one side of the bottle! Color is a gorgeous deep dark burgundy. Bouquet of roses with a sent of wood and caramel candied apple on the end. I could go on and on about the nose! Wow! Pallet is of red and blue fruits however they’re well under control by the acidity and mostly integrated tannins. Drinking nicely now, not sure how much time this wine has to mature further but, I hope to find… out!! I believe this wine is on an ascension
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3/5/2021 - BHRH Likes this wine: 95 Points
Decanted 30 minutes. Dense dark purple color. Bursting with exotic blackberries, currants and earth. Powerful on the palate with deep black fruits, licorice, smoky oak and a bit of earthy minerality. Pure, not hedonistic but very long, deep satisfying finish. This terrific wine seems like it is near peak, yet has easily another decade of wonderful drinking remaining. 95+
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9/4/2020 - Bob23 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Still live and kicking. A distinct herbal note, with savory character. It’s delightful and fascinating.
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9/2/2020 - jdrhyne Likes this wine: 96 Points
Nose of menthol, syrup, earthy and bold red fruit even after 18 years of age. Medium mouth feel with still some strong tannins after a 4 hour decant. The finish is huge, long and lingers for a minute plus with complexity. Great wine & producer.
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5/10/2020 - dkentaustin Likes this wine: 94 Points
Beautiful red fruit, mulberry, strawberry, ripe plum flesh, flint, steel, oiled leather. Soft velvet mouthfeel, chalky tannins, bright with loads of fruit, boysenberry... really quite hedonistic. Lots of ripe fruits. Incredibly long finish.
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9/27/2019 - Kevnzworld wrote: 95 Points
1 hour decant at home
Initially tight and somewhat tannic and slightly high in heat.
Definitely better in hour two
Blackberry, compote , some chocolate , and savory earthy richness with a spicy finish.
What’s going to fade first, the grippy tannin or the aged but rich fruit. That’s going to be interesting and I’ll revisit this in a few years.
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4/28/2019 - AlexHop Likes this wine: 98 Points
Wow. Rich nose, violets and white pepper. Bold mouth with super dark fruit and intense super long finish. Seems like it has decades of life still.
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4/22/2018 - mnh wrote: 96 Points
Very youthful despite long decant its got some assertive tannins relative to its buddied her tonight.
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11/11/2017 - sdr Likes this wine: 90 Points
Some of the exuberance of youth has been tamed by age fifteen. Still, bold fruit and quite oaky. Really monochromatic, the fruit is all blackberries. If there’s no complexity by this point, I doubt there ever will be any. The first glass is the best.
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9/25/2017 - Jeff Leve wrote: 96 Points
Structured, firm, fresh style here, with a complex nose of smoke, licorice, tobacco, black cherry and blue fruit. Ripe fruits and length, full bodied and concentrated, with freshness and complexity, this is drinking just great today.
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5/14/2016 - Agreenblatt wrote: 96 Points
Had with steak. Decanted for 2 hours. Everything you could want from this wine.
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9/4/2015 - Knicksfan wrote: 95 Points
Great Cali Cab in good balance;
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3/7/2015 - floridawinedrkr Likes this wine: 97 Points
Outstanding deep, bold, big Cabernet. Needed a 4 hour decant but was still outstanding. Smooth, rich, dark chocolate, warm vanilla extract, chocolate covered cherries, cinnamon, and earth. This baby is built to last. Lots of time left.
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8/6/2014 - GaryHOhio wrote: 97 Points
Found this on the wine list at Son'z Maui at the Hyatt Regency by Lahaina. We were celebrating our 31st wedding
anniversary.
Superb nose of blackberries, chocolate, mint and meat. I could smell it sitting in the decanter 2 feet away. Decanted for
90 minutes while we enjoyed some Champagne and Chablis with our starters. Opaque purple in the glass. Almost
"chewy" in your mouth. Big big on the palate with more meat, cassis and dark cherries. Smooth as silk with a wonderful
lingering finish. It seemed to get more lush and powerful over the next 2 hours. Paired with a bone in ribeye and Ahi Tuna
it was the perfect compliment. Probably could have used more air time.
Ok. I really liked it. My note is no doubt enhanced by the fact I was sitting on Maui overlooking the Pacific
with my beautiful wife of 31 years.
I think I will try one at home with a long slow ox to see what is possible.
Enjoy !!!
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7/11/2014 - capacious Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted for 8 hours and then drank after a Laurent 96 clos de la Roche and a 90 leoville and Bill Harlan's idea of creating a napa first growth or thereabouts held up. The vecina was excellent with integrated silky tannins, mouth filling flavor of chocolate, cassis, fine tobacco, dark fruits, and a lengthy finish. Yum! One lonely copy left now.
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7/27/2013 - jbouchy wrote: 97 Points
Enjoyed with New York on Bone, potatoes with bacon, heirloom tomatoes. Outstanding pairing. Depth, complexity, huge finish with flavors of concentrated blueberries, mint in the midpalate. Outstanding!!
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12/16/2012 - WetRock wrote:
Nose of baked fruits and chocolatey oak. Very different than the other two wines on the palate. This has dense, rich fruit that is not as expressive. This may actually need more time or air to unwind which gave it more interest for me.
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12/16/2012 - peternelson wrote: 91 Points
10 year retrospective tasting at Conrad's (Conrad Green): Cassis, best acidity of the Bonds; vibrant with black fruits and licorice stick. West side of Napa.
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9/29/2012 - InflationHedge wrote: 96 Points
Deep purple in the glass, rich dark fruit and pleasant anise coats the mouth and dusty tannins linger on the finish. This is fantastic stuff!
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9/9/2011 - dpadd3206 wrote: 95 Points
This is just a great bottle of wine! Enjoyed it from start to finish, opened it for one hour before I enjoyed it.
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8/18/2011 - Mike V wrote: 97 Points
The Judgement at Louisville CO (Louisville CO - The Scholfields): Wow wow wow My # 1 group number 1 by 9/10 This is fantastic beautiful changing nose. Amazing black fruit. showed amazingly well
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6/26/2010 - phenricsson wrote: 96 Points
Decanted 4 hours. Very dark and dense all the way to the rim. Thick coating on the glass, barely starting to mature, 90;82. Lovely nose of mint, anise and roasted fruits. Initially it is fat but tightens up and becomes very fresh. Excellent balance, crisp acidity. Not huge on the palate to start but it builds steadily in the mouth to an explosive finish, leading into a very long aftertaste of anise and black currant. Lots of aromatics on he palate, spicy oak and black currants. This has the typical restrained power I always get on the great Levy wines.
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5/9/2010 - EBoyer wrote: 93 Points
Not as thick and heavy as it was a few years ago, settling down nicely, but still very young tasting. Tannins have softened somewhat, but there is structure here to age a while longer. Long finish, still has the chocolate accents it had when young, but to a much lesser degree. I like this now better than when tasted on release. It is developing positively.
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4/10/2010 - CultCabKing wrote: 92 Points
Bedrock overlain with fine grained alluvial wash. Eastern exposure. A nice linear wine, long lasting. Blackberry and mineral. Earthy fruit is well in the background, very highly rated by WS but does not transalte for me.
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2/28/2010 - bulldurham wrote: 95 Points
Very typical of Harlan's finest wines.
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5/7/2008 - jc-mmb wrote: 94 Points
bordering greatness. wondeerful big nose of dark fruits and chocolate. not hot at all. palate coats with same dark fruits, mocha, cocoa and some spice. tannins are big but very tolerable at this point. will get better in the future. finishes wonderfully long and volupuous.
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12/6/2007 - jclary wrote: 95 Points
Thick, rich, and massive - this is pure cabernet. Still quite tannic on the finish, but the wine coats your palate with a thick finish. Lots of dark fruits, and chocolate notes, which is consistent with other notes that I have read on the wine. Pleasurable to drink but clearly opened far too soon. Sit on the next bottle for two more years at least.
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9/14/2007 - last chance wrote: 94 Points
The nose of this wine had bold, dark fruits, mocha, some lighter scents that I just couldn't pick out. The palate had blackberry and cherry flavors, with notes of chocolate and maybe even hazelnut. Great mouthfeel and a medium to long finish. Tasted next to an 02 Harlan Maiden. This was a great bottle to be able to try with friends.
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2/5/2007 - dream wrote: 87 Points
Very deep, thick color. Potent nose of intense blackberries and boysenberries with chocolaty cassis and a hint of dill. Deeply chocolaty to the point of over-sweet with rich boysenberry fruit with a minty undertone all within a structured framework. Finishes with substantial tannins and palate-staining intensity along with some heat. A huge wine that still needs time, it's interesting to taste but tiring to drink and a bit too excessive for me.
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