2016 bond, st eden, napa valley
Why We're Buying
Perfect ratings in wine are rare. Bond St. Eden makes them look commonplace. In 2015, wine critic James Suckling gave it a 100-point rating, calling it "a magical wine to drink over the coming 2-3 decades." Anyone that held this gem from 2017 to 2021 saw the price increase 44.6, with the cost per bottle approaching $600.
Critics Scores
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 St. Eden has a deep garnet-purple color and gives up vivacious notes of crushed blackberries, warm plums and cassis plus hints of dried leaves, forest floor, tapenade and truffles with a touch of unsmoked cigars. Medium to full-bodied, the palate features taut, muscular black and blue fruits, framed by firm, ripe tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long with loads of savory sparks.
Jeb Dunnuck
Another perfect wine in the lineup is the 2016 St. Eden, which comes from a hillside of red volcanic soils just outside of Oakville. As with the 2015, wine doesn’t get any better, and this inky hued 2016 offers up a smorgasbord of crème de cassis, blackberries, crushed rocks, toasty oak, new leather, and tobacco. Deep, full-bodied, powerful yet also incredibly elegant, it offers pleasure even today yet will benefit from 4-6 years of bottle age and cruise for 30 years or more.
James Suckling
Blackberry, black-cherry and floral aromas just pop out. Transparent and vivid. Dusty undertones. Full-bodied, layered and chewy with powerful density and richness. Extremely long and flavorful. Great structure. Needs three or four years to demonstrate its full potential.
Wine Spectator
This offers waves of steeped fig and blackberry paste flavors, laced with chocolate, warm tobacco and tar notes. The tarry edge emerges steadily through the tightly knit finish, but this retains good energy despite the dark and hefty profile. Will need time to resolve the grip. Best from 2023 through 2040.