2005 BOND Melbury
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Tasting notes
A very pleasant surprise, the 2005 Melbury is also the first wine in this tasting that shows the onset of aromatic notes that are leading into the tertiary realm. Even so, the 2005 possesses superb depth and terrific resonance in all of its dimensions. I expect the 2005 will drink well for another 10-15 years given its palate weight.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Bright red with ruby tones. Deep, dark blackberry and cassis aromas are complicated by violet, licorice and minerals as well as a mellow tobacco nuance; the first really secondary nose among these Melbury wines. Push, rich, mouthfilling and deep but not at all heavy; a wonderfully fruity, almost liqueur-like wine with sneaky inner-mouth energy and lift. Harmonious acidity and noble, horizontal tannins perfectly buffer and shape the wine's sweet fruit. Most impressive today on the slowly mounting, palate-staining whiplash of a finish. This is the highest score I've yet given to this vintage.
Medium ruby-red. Expressive nose offers scents of currant, plum, tobacco, graphite and spicecake. Wonderfully sweet, broad and spicy, with a suggestion of cinnamon behind the currant and plum fruit; still quite youthful despite an incipent truffle note, with herbal accents providing energy. Surprisingly light on its feet and very long on the ripely tannic back end. A superb showing: this beauty is balanced to enjoy 2016 or to hold. Tannins are quite firm with air but this wine boasts terrific sweetness for the year. I might have guessed that this wine had a good percentage of Merlot.
The 2005 Melbury, which comes from the hills east of Rutherford just north of Lake Hennessey and Pritchard Hill, is absolutely spectacular. This is a 7-acre parcel, planted in sedimentary and clay soils on steep slopes. Deep purple, with blueberry, black raspberry and graphite notes, a gracious and generous, full-bodied mouthfeel, soft, but noticeable tannin, a refreshing finish and loads of complexity, this is a compelling 2005 that seems to be coming close to its plateau of maturity, where it should last for 20-25 years.