2016 Harlan Estate
Community Tasting Note
I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine Likes this wine:
Thursday, December 9, 2021 - Epic Napa Trip - Day 5: Tasted at Harlan Estates - I loved this wine! Glad I got to try it at the winery because I would never open one of my own bottles this young (I should never say "never"....I did break down not too long ago and open a 2012). Super impressive! Nose showed plenty of dark fruit, some purple flowers and some earth and graphite notes with hints of sweet vanilla. The palate was even more glorious with layers of black and red fruit....so pure....so smooth....so luxurious! Some earthy notes with some anise, tobacco and graphite, which should show better with age. I am looking forward to tasting this down the road....could surpass the 1996, but will need to wait a few years to find out! I wish I had more bottles of this to follow it more often! I know, I know....pigs get fed, hogs get slaughtered! So hard not to be a hog though when the wine is this good! I just wish Harlan was less expensive so I could buy more bottles!
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10 comments have been posted
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue (5,886 views)
Comment posted by NickRut:
12/27/2021 4:34:00 PM - This has to be the most epic Napa trip I’ve ever seen. Well done!
Comment posted by I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine:
12/27/2021 4:52:00 PM - Thank you....I don't think I will ever top it!
Comment posted by MJP Hou TX:
12/27/2021 7:03:00 PM - My first allocation was the 2016 vintage. I'm holding out on buying more till I try a vintage Harlan and see what the fuss is all about. Thanks for posting your experience.
Comment posted by I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine:
12/28/2021 6:55:00 AM - It's an expensive indulgence.....every once in a while, I feel ignorance is bliss! 1996 Harlan is my benchmark wine for Cabs and Cab Blends....but I had a 2012 not too long ago that was drinking quite well too! I have also had the 2001, which was drinking quite young still, and definitely needed more time. If you want to take a trip to the Twin Cities, I'd be happy to open an old one up for you!
Comment posted by NickRut:
12/28/2021 7:36:00 AM - Had a 01 recently that was decanted for 4-5 hours and it was beautiful. Definitely wonderful wine and you do get what you pay for. I'd consider it for a certain price, but it is starting to get steep.
Comment posted by I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine:
12/28/2021 7:53:00 AM - I know what you mean....even from the winery, they are north of 1K....
Comment posted by NickRut:
12/28/2021 8:00:00 AM - I recall a time where they were like 500-600 and at that point it was worth it to me. Hard to justify $1k a bottle instead of other top tier Napa wines for a max of $300-400 a bottle. Even Crow is getting a bit high relative to other superstar wines.
Comment posted by I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine:
12/28/2021 9:42:00 AM - I have never had Crow....not even familiar with them...
Comment posted by NickRut:
12/28/2021 9:46:00 AM - Scarecrow? Runs about $600-650 a bottle now on the list. Very very good wine. Easily in the top echelon of Napa wines.
Comment posted by I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine:
12/28/2021 10:09:00 AM - LOL...sorry, never heard it called just "Crow".....mind didn't got here for some reason! I have only had it once...and that was a few years ago