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97 Robert Parker
The prodigious 2007 Harlan Estate reminds me of a hypothetical blend of the 2002 with a touch of the controversial 1997. Dense plum/purple-colored with sweet aromas of barbecue smoke, blueberries, blackberries, cassis, licorice, hot rocks and subtle oak, it is a splendidly opulent, pure wine with a skyscraper-like texture as well as stunningly deep fruit that expands gracefully across the palate. The finish lasts nearly a full minute. Because of its overwhelming richness and sweet tannins, this brilliant wine seems to be approachable now, but I suspect further nuances and complexity will emerge after 4-5 years in the bottle. This wine will still be going strong at age 25-30. Like the offerings from its sister estate, Bond, these Harlan Estate offerings are uncompromisingly brilliant examples of Napa viticulture and winemaking at its finest. Kudos to proprietor Bill Harlan. Run by Bill Harlan, Harlan Estate’s debut vintage was 1990. The second wine culled out from this extraordinary estate’s barrels is called The Maiden, with a production generally under 2,000 cases,. Yet it often represents 50% of the estate’s production given the Draconian selection process employed at Harlan.
94 Wine Spectator
The prodigious 2007 Harlan Estate reminds me of a hypothetical blend of the 2002 with a touch of the controversial 1997. Dense plum/purple-colored with sweet aromas of barbecue smoke, blueberries, blackberries, cassis, licorice, hot rocks and subtle oak, it is a splendidly opulent, pure wine with a skyscraper-like texture as well as stunningly deep fruit that expands gracefully across the palate. The finish lasts nearly a full minute. Because of its overwhelming richness and sweet tannins, this brilliant wine seems to be approachable now, but I suspect further nuances and complexity will emerge after 4-5 years in the bottle. This wine will still be going strong at age 25-30. Like the offerings from its sister estate, Bond, these Harlan Estate offerings are uncompromisingly brilliant examples of Napa viticulture and winemaking at its finest. Kudos to proprietor Bill Harlan. Run by Bill Harlan, Harlan Estate’s debut vintage was 1990. The second wine culled out from this extraordinary estate’s barrels is called The Maiden, with a production generally under 2,000 cases,. Yet it often represents 50% of the estate’s production given the Draconian selection process employed at Harlan.
Produttore
Harlan Estate
Ispirato da un viaggio in alcune delle principali regioni produttrici di vino della Francia, Bordeaux e Borgogna, il fondatore e proprietario Bill Harlan ha deciso di creare la sua tenuta “Premier Cru” in California. L'Harlan Estate è stata fondata nel 1984 nel cuore della Napa Valley, lungo le colline occidentali di Oakville. Con quasi 100 ettari di proprietà, 17 ettari sono vitati, prevalentemente con Cabernet Sauvignon (70%) e con gli altri classici di Bordeaux, Merlot (20%), Cabernet Franc (8%) e Petit Verdot (2%). La prima annata commerciale del loro vino di punta, l’Harlan Estate, è stata lanciata nel 1990, mentre il loro secondo vino, Maiden, ha debuttato solo cinque anni dopo. Oggi, l'enologo Bob Levy e il consulente enologo Michel Rolland producono vini eleganti che offrono un’espressione unica del Cabernet Sauvignon californiano, con profumi spiccati e sapori ricchi e profondi. Questo produttore piccolo e di altissima qualità elabora, anno dopo anno, rossi pregiati in stile Bordeaux. Inoltre, la loro produzione estremamente limitata (circa 1.200-2.000 casse all'anno) e i loro sistemi di vendita simili a quello En Primeur di Bordeaux danno vita a creazioni mitiche che sono considerate autentici vini di livello mondiale.