The 2008 Pluribus is a gorgeous wine laced with black fruit, menthol, minerals, spices and licorice. It shows fabulous density and richness through to the finish. This is a very typical Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. Bill Harlan and his team make the BOND wines through long-term lease arrangements they hold with vineyard owners in a handful of top hillside sites in Napa Valley. The Melbury, Quella and Vecina vineyards are planted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The St. Eden vineyard includes 5% Cabernet Franc that was recently grafted onto Merlot rootstocks, while the Pluribus vineyard includes 13% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc. Overall, the 2008s are less consistent than the 2009s, which are shaping up to be brilliant. I also tasted a number of 2010s from barrel with Bill Harlan and winemakers Bob Levy and Corey Empting that were striking for their purity, depth and class.

Offers a mix of mocha, loamy earth, espresso, dried currant, blueberry, wild berry and cedary sage-charcoal notes. Full-bodied and drying, complex and concentrated. Best from 2012 through 2022. 487 cases made. -JL