2011 BOND Quella
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Tasting notes
The 2011 Quella is powerful and quite savory in style. Black cherry, herbs, leather, licorice and menthol open first. Most surprisingly though, Quella stands out for its substantial power and density. This is a terrific showing from a wine in the BOND range that sometimes does not get its full due.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2011 Quella is fabulous. Aromatic and lifted like few wines are in this vertical, the 2011 possesses striking nuance and delineation from start to finish. Beams of firm tannin extend the mid-palate and add to what is a very palpable sense of energy and focus. One of the big surprises in this tasting, the 2011 is absolutely gorgeous today.
Bright red-ruby. Perfumed, slightly high-toned nose melds kirsch , licorice and pungent minerality; lovely aromatic lift here. Supple and savory for its vintage; doesn't show the thickness of the 2012 but boasts lovely ripeness and palate presence for this cool year, with just a bit of peppery verve to signify the vintage. Finishes with lovely length and firm, fairly fine-grained tannins that dust the teeth.
The 2011 Quella is one of the bolder wines in the range. Dark red stone fruits, iron, smoke, plum, spice and menthol open up nicely in the glass. Next to the other wines in the range, the 2011 Quella is a bit brawny and rough around the edges. It will be interesting to see if further time in bottle softens some of those contours.