x
  • Country ranking ?

    459
  • Producer ranking ?

    47
  • Decanting time

    2h
  • When to drink

    now to 2025
  • Food Pairing

    Mole negro

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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.

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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.

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Information

Origin

Oakville, Napa Valley

Vintage Quality

Above Average

Value For Money

Very good

Investment potential

No Potential

Fake factory

None

Glass time

2h

Inside Information

I was blown away by the 2004 The Maiden, which out of bottle is even better than it was from barrel. This wine exhibits a rather flamboyant scorched earth, lead pencil, incense, licorice, and blackberry and cassis-scented nose and flavors. The wine has superb concentration and is opulent, fleshy, and very much in keeping with the style of the vintage. Despite its accessibility, I suspect this wine will drink well for at least two decades. 

So what’s new? Harlan Estate continues to produce only a meager 1,500 or so cases from over 40 acres of beautifully manicured hillside vineyards overlooking the Oakville corridor (to be precise, the western slopes looking down on Martha’s Vineyard and parts of the To-Kalon Vineyard). Proprietor Bill Harlan and his winemaking team of Bob Levy and global oenologist Michel Rolland push the envelope in all ways, but the results continue to be magnificent as well as increasingly expensive and rare. The second wine, which is usually around 1,000+ cases, is The Maiden, which is also a super wine in its own right.

 

 

Wine Advocate #174
Dec 2007
Robert M. Parker, Jr. 95 Drink: 2007 - 2027 $189-$230 (125)

 

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