Lisa Perrotti Brown, Robert Parker, January 2021, 97P: Vecina vineyard is located in the western foothills of Oakville, just to the southeast of the winery (up on Oakville Grade). Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Vecina needs a little coaxing to reveal notes of black currants, blackberries and blueberry compote with hints of dusty soil, cinnamon stick and fallen leaves. Slightly more structured than the other Bond 2017s, it has a rock-solid backbone of firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness supporting the muscular black and blue fruit flavors, finishing long and earthy. It will likely need a little longer to come around than its siblings, but it should also be longer lived. As a reminder to readers, because it was not harvested before the fires, there will be no Bond Pluribus vineyard produced in 2017. Also, Melbury vineyard’s yields are down to a quarter of a normal year. Antonio Galloni, Vinous, December 2020 - 97P The 2017 Vecina is outrageously beautiful. Inky and deep, it possesses stunning richness, power and structure. Its pedigree and sheer beauty are immediately evident. Over the last year, the 2017 has gained quite a bit of depth and overall resonance I did not see in the barrel samples. As a reminder, Vecina is sourced from Vine Hill Ranch, specifically Block 6 Upper, one of the best locations on the ranch. BOND notes: The beautifully terraced volcanic soil slopes of this property reside in Oakville's western foothills. The 11-acre site faces due east and is the recipient of cool morning sun. Vecina, which appeared with the 1999 vintage in the inaugural BOND release, is always powerful, intense and savory. Vecina's other hallmarks are blackberry fruit, with wild forest floor and mineral associated overtones.SOIL: Bedrock overlain with fine grained alluvial wash. Eastern Exposure.ELEVATION: 221-330 feet Vintage 2017: Almost as if anticipating the events that would transpire, this normally late-ripening site rallied from the onset with an unusually early budbreak. The growing season progressed without significant events. Harvest began on September 9th and concluded on September 27th. From the beginning of aging, this Vecina has been a beacon, beckoning the other crus to follow. Aromatically the wine is vibrant, displaying its classic dried herbs and dark fruit, but with even greater life and dimension. The vertical nature of the wine does not impose, but impresses and inspires a reverence in the solidarity of this site. The savory 2017 is yet full of vitality and energy; its structural lines are more chiseled and defined than in other vintages.
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