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Viinin Kuvailu
The Story
With the founding of Harlan Estate in 1984, we embarked upon our mission of creating a “first growth” of California. The estate’s early vineyard development began with just six acres. Today our planting is essentially complete, with nearly forty acres under vine to the classic varietals: cabernet sauvignon (70%), merlot (20%), cabernet franc (8%), and petit verdot (2%). Invariably, the finished wine is predominately cabernet sauvignon, which we blend with varying amounts of the other three varietals as we seek to express faithfully the unique and distinctive character of the site.
Modest quantities of wine were produced in 1987, 1988, and 1989 from grapes that represented the second, third, and fourth leaf of our estate vineyard. In each of those years a small number of barrels were produced in the hope of gaining a prescient glimpse into what the character of the land—never before cultivated—might have to offer. The wines were blended, bottled, and labeled with a special designation. Though charming in their own way, these first wines fell short of our standards and aspirations, so were never released. They continue to serve as humble reminders of where we began the journey.
Wine Information
Above-average rainfall (38 inches) ended in early spring. Budbreak was also early (March 18-27), as was bloom (mid-May). the summer was filled with 39 days over 90°, but very few over 100°. the season ended with some sweltering afternoons in the second week of september, but they were short in duration. harvest began september 3 and everything was finished in about three weeks. a relatively small crop, yielding on average just 1.8 tons per acre.
tasting notes
Very dense, ruby-red color. though subdued at first, with some airing it displays notes of roasted coffee, charcoal, and blackberry against a background of sweet, toasty notes. Very ripe impression with good concentration and density. the entry on the palate is at once dense, fleshy, exuberant, and displays a high level of fine-grained, supple tannins that will certainly contribute to its textural interest and harmony for many years.
this is a vintage of exceptional charm from a ripe year. a beautifully concentrated wine—neither heavy nor overbearing—with sweet tannins, loads of ripe, juicy fruit, licorice, and a tremendous consistency. the wine shows bright, forward cassis and black fruits. tempting now, but wait 3-5 years and then enjoy for 20 years or more.
Very deep garnet-black colour with a purple rim. Though still very youthful and muted, this vintage is already subtly revealing a wide array of aromas including blackberry tart, cedar, violets, truffles, liquorice and all spice. In the mouth however this is no shrinking violet – the ’04 is a big, concentrated and highly structured wine with somewhat impenetrable, tightly grained tannins and medium to high acid supporting its rich weight. Very, very long finish displaying hints of savoury earthiness and that signature minerality that appears to surface in better years. Drink 2009 – 2030. Tasted November 2008. 
(1/ 2009)