Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Pluribus is from a relatively high-elevation vineyard on the steep slopes of Spring Mountain and planted in the white Tufa volcanic bedrock of that area. This is the most northern vineyard of the Bond Estates, and this wine was just incredible. By far, the biggest, most backward and massive of all the 2005s, this wine behaved as if it were three or four years old, rather than ten. Dense purple, it offers notes of blueberry liqueur, St.-Estephe-like earth, licorice and a gravelly note with incredible depth, lots of blackberries, and a finish that goes on for 45+ seconds. This is incredibly youthful and dominated by the blue and black fruits that are so much a part of the Spring Mountain AVA. This wine needs another 3-4 years of cellaring and should keep for 30-40+ years and turn out to be a fabulous classic from Bond Estate. All of these wines are made in relatively limited quantities, and primarily sold via the winery mailing list. Rating: 98+
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Wine Spectator
Packs in lots of rich, supple layers of flavor, built around fleshy currant, black cherry, plum and wild berry fruit, shaded by creamy, toasty oak. The vibrancy and concentration give this a long, persistent finish. The tannins have a slight ragged edge. Best from 2010 through 2017.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
Above the town of St. Helena on the eastern slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains sits the Spring Mountain District.
A dynamic region, its vineyards, cut by numerous springs and streams, vary in elevation, slope and aspect. Soils differ throughout with over 20 distinct types inside of the 8,600 acres that define the appellation. Within that area, only about 1,000 are planted to vineyards. Predominantly farmed by small, independent producers, the region currently has just over 30 wineries.
During the growing season, late afternoon Pacific Ocean breezes reach the Spring Mountain vineyards, which sit at between 400 and 1,200 feet. Daytime temperatures during mid summer and early fall remain slightly cooler than those of the valley floor.
Spring Mountain soils—volcanic matter and sedimentary rock—create intense but balanced reds with lush and delicate tannins. The area excels with Bordeaux varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot and in some cooler spots, Chardonnay.