"... the Matriarch label, will always be evocative of its pedigree and distinct in its hillside character." — Harlan Estate
BOND Estate Wines
To tell the story of Bond Matriarch, we must begin first with the heady ambitions of Bill Harlan and Bob Levy, who set out to bring the "Grand Cru" concept to Napa Valley. Having worked towards great success in their creation of Harlan Estate, one of the first California Cult Wines, the duo had aspirations to expand upon the “First Growth” concept with a selection of five hillside sites. After many years of surveying the beautiful Napa Valley landscape, the duo narrowed in on the terroir they believed would best show cabernet sauvignon and, in 1999, they unveiled the first vintage of BOND Wines. The label may resemble old bank notes, but the name references the relationship between Harlan and Levy, and their collective relationship with their vineyard team.
BOND Matriarch Wine
While BOND bottles showcase the individuality of a single vineyard, each with its own proprietary name, The Matriarch is crafted from grapes of each of these five sites. As the second label to BOND, The Matriarch is widely regarded as a top "sibling wine" in Napa Valley, often considered to hold similar pedigree to the flagship wine. Less than 800 bottles are made of the flagship annually, ensuring BOND Matriarch offers a chance to experience world-class cabernet for an incredible value.
"The culled out barrels that don’t make the cut are blended together for a wine called Matriarch, which in itself is a terrific offering." — Robert Parker
The label acts as the perfect representation of Oakville's hillside fruit, mending together top cabernet to display Harlan, and BOND's, signature hedonism and richness. In recent years, bottles have been noted as being more cerebral and understated, a welcomed change to the BOND and Harlan portfolio. With firm tannins and a flavor profile of black currants, cedar, and Asian spices, The Matriarch still holds strong as an offering in this famed portfolio.
2014 BOND Matriarch
The 2014 vintage was a phenomenal year throughout Napa Valley— a “dream vintage” as Wine Spectator put it. The Matriarch's 2014 offering was beloved by critics and drinkers alike, as Jeb Dunnuck noted the bottle as being "full-bodied, rounded, polished, beautifully elegant... ideal for drinking over the coming 15+ years." The bottles tobacco and graphite flavors, walnut and spice undertones, and white flower aromas made it a top contender for Napa's greatest 'second label' wine of the year.
Grab a Bottle of BOND Matriarch
While it can be easy to overlook second labels and sibling wines, BOND Matriarch challenges flagship wines throughout Napa Valley, making a name for its low production and high quality. Such bottles can be difficult to acquire, making this the perfect opportunity for discerning collectors to add a bottle to their collection.
