BOND VECINA 2004, Napa

The nose on this is incredible—layers of cedar and dark fruit that keep unfolding. Full-bodied and silky, it paired perfectly with grilled lamb. Worth every penny for a special occasion.

Opened this last weekend and the forest floor and cedar notes really came through as promised, with a surprisingly smooth finish for that much ripeness. It's a big wine but not clumsy — the chocolate and spice lingered nicely through a long dinner. Glad I let it breathe for an hour before pouring.

This wine is a powerhouse, the dark fruit and chocolate notes are intense but beautifully balanced by that earthy forest floor character. It’s a special bottle for a big meal or just a quiet evening, the full body really delivers. I’m already looking for another.