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This wine, which first debuted in 1990, has probably garnered more perfect scores than any other Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2001 is just entering a young adolescent stage of development, exhibiting extraordinary nuances such as sweet, loamy soil and earthy minerality intermixed with some background smoke, black currant liqueur, plum, Asian spice and new saddle leather. Full-bodied, it possesses great intensity, with stunning flavors that are viscous enough to coat the mouth, but never become heavy or overbearing. The wine has a remarkable purity, concentration and intensity that should carry it for another 30+ years. This is already very promising, and for those who own it, I would suggest a good two to three hours of decanting prior to service.
One of the great estates of California and in the world of wine is Bill Harlan’s beautiful vineyard, stretched across the steep hillsides of the Mayacamas Mountains, overlooking the Oakville corridor and valley floor in Napa.
Wine Advocate #195 Jun 2011 |
Robert M. Parker, Jr. | 100 | Drink: 2011 - 2041 | $998-$1425 (350) |
Wine Description
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
2001
Average winter rainfall tapered off through March and April.
A warm May and June accelerated the growing season. With the exception of an oddly cool July, temperatures throughout the summer maintained that momentum.
Picking began on September 5,then temperatures dipped into the upper 70°s for the next two and a half weeks and slowed ripening.
Harvest resumed and finished by October 4, thanks to a little “Indian Summer” heat boost.
Yields were quite low: 1.5 tons per acre on average, even lower for the merlot blocks.
tasting notes
Deep, ruby red. Well-focused, signature aromas of underbrush and forest floor abound in this
wine. Also notes of tea, tobacco, mocha, leather, licorice, cedar, black currant, and violets.
It is a wine of considerable depth, complexity, and staying power. A rich and full entry follows
with equal measures of power and elegance. Ripe, supple tannins are present in the finish and contribute to its extended staying power, lift, and length.
A wine of purity, definition, and harmony that combines a more elegant, structured style,
similar to the 1994 with the ripe, viscous qualities of the 1997. The wine is classic Harlan Estate, with a very long life ahead of it, though much of its potential is still in hiding.
Lay this one down for 5+ years and then drink for 30+ (50?) years.
Average Bottle Price
2023 | 2020 | 2015 |
---|---|---|
1 650€ +23.1% | 1 340€ +13.6% | 1 180€ |