x
  • Country ranking ?

    377
  • Producer ranking ?

    41
  • Decanting time

    2h
  • When to drink

    now to 2030
  • Food Pairing

    Beef Tenderloin with Ancho and Fennel Seeds

The Tb points given to this wine are the world’s most valid and most up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.

Close

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.

Close

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.

Close

Tasting note

color

Deep and Ruby red

ending

Long and Spicy

flavors

Blackberry, Blackcurrant, Licorice, Vanilla and Toasty

taste

Warming and Full-bodied

Written Notes

Deep, dark ruby colour. Pronounced jammy nose with elegant spicy character – cassis, brambles, vanilla, licorice and dark chocolate. Full-bodied palate shows broad fruity character with intense spicy and toasty flavours. Long warming finish.
  • 93p
Load more notes

Information

Origin

Oakville, Napa Valley

Vintage Quality

Outstanding

Value For Money

Best buy

Investment potential

No Potential

Fake factory

None

Inside Information

93 points Wine Spectator: "Tight and complex, with a firm, focused mix of mineral, dried currant, herb, sage and cedar. Full-bodied, intense and persistent, ending with a complex, layered aftertaste." (11/2010)

93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "As outstanding as the 2008 is, it is eclipsed by the brilliant 2007 The Maiden, perhaps the finest second wine yet made here. Sweet tobacco leaf, fruitcake, creme de cassis, black currant and licorice aromas emerge from this round, opulent, voluptuously textured wine. It is very much in keeping with the 2007 vintage. Enjoy it over the next 10-15 years." (12/2010)

92 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Good deep ruby-red. Currant, cedar and graphite on the nose and palate. Pliant and showy already, with compelling sweetness of fruit and a fresh minerally quality giving juiciness and lift to the middle palate. Long and ripely tannic. This is freakishly good for a second wine." (05/2010)

91 points James Suckling: "Aromas of green coffee beans, vanilla and ripe berries follow through to full body, with loads of new wood and ripe fruit. Full bodied and full throttle. Bottle age to mellow the wood is a necessity here." (02/2011)

Read more
Incorrect Information
If you found some information that is wrong, let us know
Are you sure you want do delete this wine? All information will be lost.
Are you sure you want to recommend this wine?
Are you sure you want hide this written note ?
Are you sure you want show this written note ?
UPGRADE MEMBER PLAN
Upgrade your membership now, it's quick and easy. We use PayPal, the world's largest payment system, it accepts all credit cards. Once you've chosen your membership level, you'll go directly to PayPal. You can cancel your membership at any time.
Thank you for your support!
 

Pro Member

 

Winemerchant Member

 

Winery Member

 

User

 

HOW TO USE TASTINGBOOK?

We recommend you to share few minutes for watching the following video instructions of how to use the Tastingbook. This can provide you a comprehensive understanding of all the features you can find from this unique service platform.

This video will help you get started



Taste wines with the Tastingbook


Create Your wine cellar on 'My Wines'



Explore Your tasted wines library



Administrate Your wine world in Your Profile



Type a message ...
Register to Tastingbook
Sign up now, it's quick and easy.
We use PayPal, the world's largest payment system, it accepts all credit cards.
Once you've chosen your membership level, you'll go directly to PayPal, where you can sign up for a free 7-day trial period. You can cancel your membership at any time. We wish you a rewarding journey to the world of Fine Wines.

Free 7 days Member trial

 

Member

 

Pro Member

 

Winemerchant Member

 

Winery Member

 

User

  Register