This was served double blind and very clear right from the first sniff this was something very special. Dark rich aromas of espresso beans, blackberry, scorched earth, and cedar. The wine was completely opaque and clearly extracted, such a surprise in hindsight for a 15 year old wine. The palate was equally rich with velvety dense spicy black fruit flavors and good brightness with sweet tannic appeal. This was clearly our WOTN without question. Long way to go here, but hard to believe it can give any more pleasure than tonight. Thanks J!!!! An absolutely great kickoff to our first Naples Wine Tasting group.
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Served blind. Brought by Jay to tonight's event. Not sure of the decant time, but it was singing. So much milk chocolate and briar on the nose! The palate is heavy, thick and black fruited. Great acidity and balance. If grading the field tonight overall(?), there were numerous claiming horses, a couple of allowance horses and then this one, a Derby winner. Borders on a 98 for me. Thanks, Jay for bringing this bottle! This one can go another 10-20 years, no problem. The clear WOTN to everyone at the table, I believe.
This Harlan was its usual obnoxious hot mess for the first half hour but fortunately it calmed down and became better integrated. Too much alcohol, too much blue fruit, too much oak. Just too bold if you were weaned on European wine but it you like this extreme cult style, this is your man.
A beautiful wine today, medium to full bodied. I last tried this vintage in 2019 and my feeling is that it was more elegant and silky then, but has more power now. A wonderful nose today, and I'm sure it will get even better in just a few years.
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1/10/2024 - KenK Likes this wine: 98 Points
This was served double blind and very clear right from the first sniff this was something very special. Dark rich aromas of espresso beans, blackberry, scorched earth, and cedar. The wine was completely opaque and clearly extracted, such a surprise in hindsight for a 15 year old wine. The palate was equally rich with velvety dense spicy black fruit flavors and good brightness with sweet tannic appeal. This was clearly our WOTN without question. Long way to go here, but hard to believe it can give any more pleasure than tonight. Thanks J!!!! An absolutely great kickoff to our first Naples Wine Tasting group.
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1/10/2024 - Mark1npt Likes this wine: 98 Points
Served blind. Brought by Jay to tonight's event. Not sure of the decant time, but it was singing. So much milk chocolate and briar on the nose! The palate is heavy, thick and black fruited. Great acidity and balance. If grading the field tonight overall(?), there were numerous claiming horses, a couple of allowance horses and then this one, a Derby winner. Borders on a 98 for me. Thanks, Jay for bringing this bottle! This one can go another 10-20 years, no problem. The clear WOTN to everyone at the table, I believe.
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12/9/2023 - sdr Does not like this wine: 87 Points
This Harlan was its usual obnoxious hot mess for the first half hour but fortunately it calmed down and became better integrated. Too much alcohol, too much blue fruit, too much oak. Just too bold if you were weaned on European wine but it you like this extreme cult style, this is your man.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
9/17/2023 - tor@livenation.se Likes this wine: 97 Points
A beautiful wine today, medium to full bodied. I last tried this vintage in 2019 and my feeling is that it was more elegant and silky then, but has more power now. A wonderful nose today, and I'm sure it will get even better in just a few years.
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4/1/2023 - Andice wrote: 96 Points
Smell and tasted like the finest Belgian dark chocolate. Sweet bitter and all in balance. Mocha notes, impressive. Best Napa wine yet
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