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Viinin Kuvailu
The Story
Harlan Estate For nearly three decades, Harlan Estate has been committed to creating California "First Growth" wine estate.
Set on the western hills of Oakville, rising above the fabled Napa Valley bench lands, the estate is over 97 hectares of natural splendor; oak-studded knolls and valleys, roughly fifteen percent of which are under vine, planted with the classic varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. But more than that, it is a family homestead, built for generations.
In 1984 Bill Harlan, who had a successful career as a real estate developer and Napa Valley resort owner, set his mind on producing the greatest wine in California, if not the world. He had become interested in starting his own winery after traveling through Burgundy and Bordeaux in the 1980's. He bought 97 hectares in Oakville, planted 16 with Bordeaux varietals, and brought in famous winemaker Bob Levy, as well as consultant Michel Rolland. Harlan produced three vintages before he considered one worthy of sale.
From the outset, we have taken great satisfaction in the slow but continuous evolution of the estate— and in watching the wines become increasingly pleasing and complex. Over time, we have also seen our younger vines reach a level of maturity capable of producing wonderful wines, even if they were not quite ready for the final Harlan Estate blend. We felt these lots, along with other components not utilized in our flagship wine, deserved a label of their own. Beginning with the 1995 vintage, we bottled a small number of cases under the name The Maiden. Grown and vinified to the same exacting standards as Harlan Estate, The Maiden is a highly detailed and sumptuous wine, remarkably faithful to the vineyard’s pedigree.
Wine Information
A superb growing season. Lower-than-normal rainfall (21 inches), mostly late in the winter. spring was dry. Budbreak occurred april 17. a cool summer (only two days over 100° degrees and just twenty-six days over 90°) followed by an even cooler september, which allowed for a slow and deliberate ripening and a very reasonable harvest pace (september 4 through October 11). We managed optimal maturity in most all of the lots, yielding 2.2 tons per acre, on average.
tasting notes
the master blend, still in barrels pending bottling in February of 2010, is extremely attractive now, possessing all the hallmark attributes: lavish aromatics, classically structured mouthfeel, and supple texture. this very promising vintage will be among our very best offerings.
