Harlan Estate 2010

Harlan Estate 2010 – Napa Valley, California

The 2010 vintage in Napa Valley was defined by a cooler growing season with late heat spikes, producing wines of precision, freshness, and remarkable structure. For Harlan Estate, it is a standout year—combining the estate’s trademark opulence with a lifted, finely etched profile.

The bouquet is deep and expressive, offering layers of blackberry, cassis, and blueberry compote, interlaced with graphite, violets, tobacco, cedar, and a touch of dark chocolate. On the palate, it is powerful yet tightly focused, with concentrated dark fruit wrapped in firm but polished tannins. A vibrant line of acidity and a mineral-driven backbone give energy and definition, ensuring both immediate appeal and long-term potential.

The finish is long, resonant, and impeccably balanced, echoing cassis, spice, and earthy complexity. A brilliant expression of a cooler Napa year, the 2010 Harlan Estate delivers depth, elegance, and longevity—already stunning, but built to evolve for decades. 98 points.

Fascinating aromas of rock and dark fruits such as blueberries and blackberries. Transparency is fascinating. Full body, with wonderfully formed tannins that give tension and form to a perfect wine of incredible layers and depth. Reminds me of something like 1961 Latour - not that I tasted it young, but there's a classicism to it. Unmitigated purity to this wine. This will be so much better in 2020. Get the chance to try it.

Saturated medium ruby. Knockout nose combines black raspberry, smoke, minerals and hints of forest floor. At once silky and high-pitched, offering superb concentration of fruit and inner-palate saline energy even if it's an infant today. Boasts a rare combination of density and nerve. Has great breed and an inexorably building finish that must be experienced to be believed. This will be great by about 2020. Will it merit a perfect score then?

The 2010 Harlan Estate is magnificent. One of the very best wines I have ever tasted at Harlan, the 2010 brings together richness and volume, but with a level of energy and sheer precision I don't think I have ever seen in a young Harlan Estate. Layers of deeply expressive dark red/black fruit, cloves, menthol and new leather flesh out in a seamless wine endowed with stunning balance and class. Iron, melted road tar, tobacco and incense add shades of complexity on the finish. The 2010 has turned out even better than I had originally expected. Today it is epic.