Utterly perfect another wine that seems to have taken on a first-growth Pauillac-like character (think Mouton-Rothschild) is the 2001 St. Eden. With a remarkably perfumed nose of crushed rocks subtle barbecue smoke and again cedar wood intermixed with creme de cassis and blackberry this wine displays a phenomenally concentrated mouthfeel full-bodied opulence voluptuous texture and of this trio is certainly the closest to its apogee of full maturity. Nevertheless it will still benefit from another 5-10 years of cellaring and keep for an additional 25-30.

From Oakville a wine quite different from Bond's Melbury. Not as immediately lush and flamboyant it's a trace more reserved. Darker too more tannic and closed. Starts with an earthiness. Airing brings out cherries and cassis. There is great balance and integrity here...

Ripe juicy vivid blackberry black cherry currant sage and dusty cedary oak form a tight core of flavors. Full-bodied intense and expansive gaining depth focus length and complexity on the lingering finish. To be released spring 2011. Best from 2013 through 2024.

In 2017 I suggested the 2001 St. Eden was a wine best enjoyed over the next few years. This tasting confirms that impression. The style at BOND back in 2001 yielded wines that at times seem to have relatively narrow windows of optimal drinking, meaning the wines take a number of years to soften, but then age relatively quickly. That's my impression here. There's plenty of power and textural intensity to the dark fruit, and yet the aromatics are quite mature. The 2001 will hold for at least a few more years, but I don't see it improving. -- Antonio Galloni