Napa Valley, United States · USA
2013 BOND Quella
A classically structured, mineral-linear Quella from one of Napa's more restrained recent vintages, built for long development through the 2040s with a distinctly European sense of precision.
- Varietal
- Bordeaux Blend
- Vintage
- 2013
Drinking Window
In 2026: At PeakIn the heart of its drinking window (2025-2040).
Right now: The BOND 2013 Quella opened its drinking window in 2020 and in May 2026 has been accessible for six years, developing steadily toward the peak window from 2025 to 2040 that it is now entering. At thirteen years old, this Napa Bordeaux blend is in a particularly rewarding phase: the primary dark fruit and iron-ore aromatics of the early years have been joined by the beginning of genuine tertiary complexity. Leather, cedar, dried herb, and a deepening mineral character are now woven into the bouquet alongside the persistent cassis and dried blackberry core. The firm tannins of the 2013 vintage have softened into something more yielding and elegant without losing their structural definition, and the linear, precise palate that characterizes this vintage of Quella is showing beautifully. This is an excellent window in which to experience the wine, and those who have been cellaring patiently are being rewarded right now.
Tasting Note
BOND's 2013 Quella pours a deep, saturated garnet-ruby with a clean, focused core that reveals the more classical, restrained character of this vintage relative to BOND's more exuberant years. On the nose, the wine opens with a considered, layered complexity that rewards patience: cassis and dried blackberry lead at the front, followed by a distinctive iron ore and leather note that speaks to the Quella vineyard's specific terroir character, then a floral lift of dried violets that arrives last and elevates the overall aromatic picture. There is an earthy, mineral complexity here that is more immediately evident than in warmer BOND vintages, and the interplay between dark fruit and earth creates an aromatic profile of genuine sophistication. On the palate, the 2013 Quella confirms its classical disposition: structured and linear rather than opulent, with firm tannins and a precise, mineral-driven finish that rewards attention. The midpalate density is considerable, building through dark fruit and iron before a long, clean conclusion that reveals the extraordinary terroir of this Napa Valley site with admirable clarity. This is the Quella for those who prefer their hillside Napa Cabernet with a European frame of reference: the 2013 is a wine that rewards the cellar and repays patience with distinction.
About BOND
BOND is the Harlan Estate-affiliated project dedicated to exploring multiple distinct Napa Valley hillside sites, each bottled separately under the BOND label as single-vineyard expressions of Napa's greatest terroirs. Quella is one of the original BOND vineyards, a hillside site producing wines of notable linearity and mineral character that distinguish it from BOND's lusher, more opulent vineyard expressions. The BOND winemaking approach prioritizes site transparency: each wine is vinified to express its specific terroir rather than to conform to a house style, making the annual vintage expression a genuine reflection of what each site delivers in each year's conditions.
Food Pairings
Prime sirloin with bone marrow butter and watercress salad
The precision and restraint of the 2013 vintage are best honored by preparations that allow the wine to lead: a quality sirloin with minimal sauce lets the Quella's mineral and dark fruit complexity speak clearly.
Braised short rib with celery root and Pomerol-style mushroom jus
The earthy, wine-forward jus and the collagen richness of short rib provide the structural anchor for the Quella's firm tannins while the mushroom earthiness amplifies the wine's leather and dried blackberry tertiary register.
Service & Cellaring
- Serving Temp
- 17-19C / 63-66F
- Decanting
- Decant for 60-90 minutes. The 2013 Quella is in its prime and the linear, precise character of this vintage means it opens gracefully with moderate air exposure. A wide-bodied decanter is preferred to allow the mineral complexity to emerge fully.
- Cellar Storage
- 12-14C / 54-57F
Frequently Asked
What vineyard is the BOND Quella?
Quella is one of BOND's named hillside Napa Valley vineyard sites, vinified separately to express its specific terroir character. It is known for a more linear, mineral-driven style compared to other BOND vineyard expressions.
How does BOND relate to Harlan Estate?
BOND was created by Bill Harlan of Harlan Estate as a companion project to explore multiple Napa Valley hillside terroirs. While Harlan Estate focuses on a single site, BOND bottles multiple vineyard expressions under a shared premium-tier framework.
Is 2013 a good vintage for BOND Quella?
Yes, 2013 is considered one of the best Napa vintages for structured, classical expression. The moderate season produced wines with greater precision and linearity than warmer years, and the Quella's natural mineral character was particularly well-suited to these growing conditions.
When does the 2013 Quella peak?
The peak window runs from 2025 to 2040, meaning the wine is in its prime right now and will remain there for another fourteen years. The hard decline is around 2048, so there is no urgency from the cellar perspective.
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