Close
Search
Filters
Critics scores
99 By James Suckling
98 By Robert Parker
97 By Wine Spectator
The 1995 Proprietary Red Wine is almost as perfect as the 1994. It has gotten even better in the bottle, and remains one of the most remarkable young Cabernet Sauvignons I have tasted. The wine, a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot, was aged in 100% new oak, which adds subtle pain grille/toasty scents. This opaque purple-colored Cabernet offers up a nose of smoke, coffee beans, black and blue fruits, minerals, and roasted herbs. It is extremely full-bodied, with spectacular purity, exquisite equilibrium, and a seamless personality with everything in total harmony. The finish lasts for more than 40 seconds. This extravagantly rich, profoundly complex 1995 will give its 1994 sibling a run for its money. Anticipated maturity: 2001-2027.
Producer
Harlan Estate
Inspired by a trip to some of France’s leading wine-producing regions, Bordeaux and Burgundy, founder and owner Bill Harlan set out to create his own “First Growth” estate in California. The Harlan Estate was founded in 1984 in the heart of Napa Valley, along the western hills of Oakville. With close to 100 hectares of property, 17 hectares are planted to vines, predominately Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), as well as the other Bordeaux classics, Merlot (20%), Cabernet Franc (8%) and Petit Verdot (2%). The first commercial vintage of their leading wine, Harlan Estate was released in 1990, while their second wine, Maiden debuted just five years later. Today, winemaker, Bob Levy and consulting winemaker, Michel Rolland produce elegant wines that carry a unique expression of Californian Cabernet Sauvignon, with enlightened perfumes and rich, deep flavors. This small and very high-quality producer crafts premium Bordeaux-style reds year after year. In addition, their extremely limited production (around 1,200-2000 cases per year), along with their future sale systems (like Bordeaux’s En Primeur) make for mythical creations that are regarded as true world class wines.