St Eden

Bond's St. Eden vineyard is located on the north-facing foothills of Napa Valley, at the base of the Oakville Appellation hills. Planted on gravelly alluvial soils from Vaca Mountain deposits, it benefits from generous sunshine and cool breezes from the northern part of the valley. This well-drained yet moderately fertile piedmont terroir allows for slow and complete ripening of the berries, giving rise to a Cabernet Sauvignon of great precision and remarkable depth.

Made from meticulously cultivated vines on a hillside terroir, this red wine is produced from grapes harvested at perfect ripeness, carefully sorted before fermentation in vats to preserve the purity of the fruit and the fineness of the tannins. Extended aging in mostly French oak barrels refines the structure, brings aromatic complexity and a silky texture, all while respecting the expression of its origin.

This wine reveals notes of ripe blackcurrant, black cherry, and blackberry, enhanced by floral touches of violet and spicy nuances of licorice and sweet pepper. Woody accents of cedar, blond tobacco, and vanilla blend with a subtle mineral framework. The palate offers a full and velvety texture, supported by a fresh acidity, fine yet structured tannins, and a long, precise, and flavorful finish.

In the United States, 90% of the wine produced comes from California. It was the influx of gold prospectors to California that revitalized the Californian wine industry in the mid-19th century, particularly in the Sonoma and Napa regions. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were 800 wineries. From 1919 to 1933, Prohibition decimated the vast majority of the Californian wine industry, so that by 1933, only 140 wineries remained. It wasn't until 1960 that the wine industry began to recover from Prohibition, and California was primarily known for producing fortified wines (in the style of Port). It was also in the 1960s that some of the most famous wineries were established (Mondavi, Heitz Wine Cellars, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, etc.). In 1976, a landmark event took place: the legendary tasting competition better known as the "Judgment of Paris." It pitted the greatest French wines against the new American upstarts. On May 24th, an unexpected result shook the wine world, as, to everyone's surprise, the United States emerged victorious. This competition, however, remains relatively unknown to the general public. Today, there is no doubt that the United States produces great wines. While California largely dominates the reputation of American wines with its excellent Zinfandels, the state of Oregon produces some of the best Pinot Noir in the world, and Washington State offers excellent Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.