2011 BOND Pluribus

Dark cherry, lavender, mocha, pine, savory herbs, black pepper and exotic spice give the 2011 Pluribus much of its distinctive personality. Delicate, lifted and gracious, with striking perfume, the 2011 speaks to finesse above all else. It is another terrific 2011 from Bond.

Bright medium ruby. Inky aromas of kirsch , crushed stone and peppery herbs. In a distinctly cooler and leaner style than the more recent vintages but still with impressive concentration to its primary, inky flavors of dark berries, pepper, violet and licorice. Very penetrating in the middle palate but a bit youthfully tough on the juicy back end, with its sharply delineated fruit currently in a reticent stage. This needs time to expand in the bottle. The Bond team assured me that sugar levels in these grapes were higher than in the 2010, which I would never have guessed. I have rated this wine higher in past tastings.

Floral, lifted and precise, the 2011 Pluribus stands out for its magnificent balance, showing what was possible in this often unfairly maligned vintage. The 2011 is not a huge Cabernet but rather a wine that impresses for its nuance, finely cut fruit and fabulous sense of proportion. Hints of dark red cherry, plum, mint and wild flowers are laced into the expressive finish. What a pleasant surprise the 2011 Pluribus has turned out to be.