Situated southeast of the winery on the border between Oakville and Yountville, Vecina received a more generous allotment of the rain that did fall early in the mostly dry year. The window for harvest was the longest of the five vineyards, stretching from August 22nd to September 3rd. The nose offers a preview of the wine’s firm, vertical posture as notes of dark fruit, coffee, and wild sage rise to greet the approach. The wine’s notable structure is somewhat softened by a suppleness that seeps in from its perimeter, while the brisk tannins ascend steeply on the midpalate. This structural poise, at its summit, rewards the senses with a halo of warmth that, like the colors of a sunset, intensifies as it ebbs. BOND & Bill Harlan: The Birth of BOND Bill Harlan credits Bob Levy with the genesis of BOND. While collaborating at Merryvale, Bob identified extraordinary vineyards worthy of a single-vineyard distinction. Harlan and Levy solidified long-term contracts with these vineyard owners, birthing the concept of BOND. In 1999, their vision materialized and the world was introduced to BOND’s first commercial release. Initially produced at the old Harlan estate, BOND found its permanent residence after the 2000 harvest when a new winery was constructed for Harlan Estate, and Harlan's former winery became BOND's official home. BOND Wine: Showcasing Napa's Premier Terroirs Initially, BOND produced two remarkable wines, Melbury and Vecina. A meticulous evaluation process led to the incorporation of three more masterpieces: Eden in 2001, Pluribus in 2003, and Quella in 2006. While often considered single-vineyard wines, they are not labeled as such. This flexibility enables BOND to blend grapes from other vineyards if the primary vineyard faces challenging conditions. Bob Levy clarifies, "Nine out of 10 times, the wines are likely to be sourced 100 percent from one vineyard." BOND also produces a sixth wine, the Matriarch, sourced from barrels that narrowly miss the single-vineyard selection. The Matriarch is a second wine emanating from Napa's coveted "grand cru" vineyards and is an essential discovery in its own right.
