October 15, 2023 - Quite special. Guessed Napa. Crteamy, sweet, sexy, spicy, a wee bit burnt (only for the good), a true blooded Napa with al the fixers; loved it.
#CP#Jean-Luc
September 16, 2022 - Wow! What i wine, stunning!!
August 16, 2021 - I really enjoyed this bottle. More fruit forward than Harlan (I prefer the bdx style of Harlan a bit more) but a really wonderful wine. Decanted for 3 hours and drank over another 3. In a good drinking window now but will continue to age and drink well for 10+ years easily.
December 20, 2020 - Kleur: Diep ondoordringbaar donkerrood. Aroma / bouquet: In de neus toont deze Bond Melbury zich minder indrukwekkend als in de mond. Niet onaangenaam maar weinig expressief en weinig complex. Pas na enkele uren beluchting komen er meer individuele aroma's Smaak / Afdronk: Groots. En verleidelijk. Vanaf de eerste impressie mondvullend, zacht èn geconcentreerd, expressief en in een prachtige balans. Retronasale indrukken van zacht zoete drop, gebrande kersen en cederhout. Algemeen / potentieel: Ongelofelijk mooie Napa-Bordeaux Blend 50 + Kleur: 5 + Aroma / bouquet: 11 + Smaak / Afdronk: 17 + Algemeen / potentieel: 8 = 91/100
Color: Deep impenetrable dark red. Aroma / bouquet: In the nose, this Bond Melbury is less impressive than in the mouth. Not unpleasant but not very expressive and not very complex. Only after a few hours of aeration more individual aromas do appear. Taste / Finish: Great. And seductive. From the first impression mouth-filling, soft and concentrated, expressive and in a beautiful balance. Retronasal impressions of soft sweet licorice, roasted cherries and cedarwood. Overall / potential: Incredibly beautiful Napa-Bordeaux Blend 50 + Color: 5 + Aroma / bouquet: 11 + Taste / Finish: 17 + Overall / potential : 8 = 91/100
July 19, 2020 - Beautiful herbs on the nose. Red currant, blackberry, cranberry and raspberry. Silky/velvety mouthfeel. Initially Light on the palate with sweet juicy taste, but some bold, vibrant notes. Definitely some heat still on it from the alcohol. Drink in beautiful, brisk weather for years to come.
June 24, 2020 - This is an outstanding wine. Give it at least an hour decant. Pure cab. Deep long finish. Plum, dark cherry, zero funk. This is as good as California cab gets.
June 6, 2020 - Decanted for 4 hours before serving, which is the right thing to do. Big dark currant, violets, cassis, vanilla oak, chocolate, and mint. So rich and powerful but also light on its feet at the same time. This is as good and precise as cult modern Napa gets. I don't think it is a 100 pointer (RP100) but it is very good. A long decant is a must. Could have used more than 4 hours.
April 13, 2019 - Absolutely a stunner and still youthful! The 2002 Napa vintage was rated poorly by critics - but I have to say that all the 02's that I have been drinking lately indicate that the critics are dead wrong. 02 is an age worthy vintage. Drink or hold.... This wine is simply phenomenal.
February 3, 2019 - The 2002 Melbury is super-expressive stellar wine today. Rich, ample and inviting, the 2002 is endowed with soft contours, radiant, rich fruit and fabulous balance. Mocha, smoke, leather, red stone fruit and sweet spices build into the resonant, deeply satisfying finish. The 2002 is one of the more overtly ripe, forward wines in the first flight of this tasting.
January 5, 2018 - It’s been years since I rated anything 100 points and this one is a dead ringer 100 points!!! The red, purple and black Berry’s wafting from the nose are seductive from the start. The palate has a perfect balance of fruit, cedar, tobacco, eucalyptus and dare I say umami. Soft tanins, long well rounded palate and a finish that screams touch me again. Best wine I’ve had in years. Bravo!