2009 BOND St. Eden
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Tasting notes
Saturated medium ruby. Pure, high-pitched scents of blackberry, violet, graphite and licorice. Sharply focused, suave and seamless, boasting outstanding energy and inner-mouth perfume to its purple fruit, violet and saline mineral flavors. The subtle, rising finish goes on and on, perfuming the palate without leaving any impression of weight. Delivers an uncanny combination of density, precision and tautness, with the noble tannins melted perfectly into the wine's fruit. Splendid, but hands off now.
Critic scores
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
A dark, voluptuous beauty, the 2009 St. Eden possesses remarkable depth and tons of pure intensity. It is perhaps not quite as complex as some of the very best vintages, but it is nevertheless striking for its supple, juicy feel. Mocha, espresso and a host of dark-toned notes build into the super-expressive finish.
Dark ruby. At once very ripe and very primary on the nose, with aromas of black cherry, blackberry and licorice complicated by a hint of bitter chocolate. Densely packed but a bit medicinal and unforthcoming today, showing a menthol note that I did not notice in the 2010 version. The dusty tannins are almost brutal today, but the wine's superb length suggests that all it needs is patience.
The 2009 Proprietary Blend St. Eden is simply stunning. A rich, resonant bouquet melds seamlessly into layers of fruit as the 2009 shows off its breathtaking pedigree and sheer class. There is virtually no perception of tannin in this voluptuous, beautifully balanced Cabernet Sauvignon. Freshly cut roses and a hint of cinnamon add complexity on the finish, but ultimately the St. Eden is first and foremost a wine of textural brilliance and spherical palate presence.