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Who Likes This Wine(36)

  1. Bordeaux_Jon

    Bordeaux_Jon

    378 Tasting Notes

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    Shadow1001

    43 Tasting Notes

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    NickZNYC

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Community Tasting Notes (57) Avg Score: 97.1 points

  • From a rare half bottle. Haven’t had many Harlans. This 2012 was significantly better than a 2011 I had 5 years ago which just tasted like a French oak barrel. For a younger Cab, it was surprisingly elegant with dare I say some minerality. I’m far more a Bordeaux fan than California, so that elegance is a big plus. You wouldn’t confuse this with Bordeaux though with such hedonistic sweet fruit.

    This wine more than prior Harlan was very reminiscent of Bond wines particularly in terms of the moderately toasty oak, more like medium than dark roast coffee. But, the fruit ripeness of Harlan for me makes it preferable to Bond which always tastes weedy to me. Perhaps the blend of Bordeaux varietals is additive to the richness.

    My wife enjoyed it but question why it should cost more than a Bordeaux first growth when the big 5 taste more complex and sophisticated. Also, we agreed a mid-priced Napa like Phelps Insignia delivers a comparable experience. I don’t see the complexity I expect for forking down all the 💵💵💵. Regardless, I’m thrilled to have an opportunity to try this. Life is grand!

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  • blind
    A powerful Cali Cab but style wise very similar to a modern Bordeaux but still more lush fruit. Some spicieness in the finish. One hour of decantation. 97

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  • Saved best for last bottle of evening( following Pritchard Hill Chappellett 2015) this was just a beauty - complex but smooth and lingering on the palette; I must confess first time I have enjoyed Harlan Estate and at the moment a bit speechless as this was everything and then some.

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  • Simply a magnificent wine experience.
    Massive brooding dark fruit, glorious glycerine like texture and smooth as silk.
    A genuine tour de force.
    Parker rating absolutely spot on and for me, super close to perfection.

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  • Saturday get-together: This is my fourth time with this wine, so I’ll just mention some particulars that I think might be noteworthy. This presented as advertised and expected for the most part, with a rich and chewy presentation that speaks to quality black and blue fruit and alluring texture. On the initial pop of the cork, the expression was somewhat muted, and it took a ton of swirling to finally get it into 3rd gear. Once it began to show some of its personality, the flavors began to meld (and melt) in a way that added to an improved mouthfeel. On first pass, it was not especially inviting or in balance, with a prominent cassis note dominating the flavor landscape over the blacker berry, earth, and spice notes. The final sips were the best, but I have to admit that it never fully blew past the stratosphere in a way I have experienced with previous bottles. A small disappointment to be sure, but not a catastrophic one.

    The day before this event I would have recommended consumption now and within the next 5-7 years. I’ll take a more conservative route due to this latest experience – where I was given pause due to my impression that this bottle just needed more time to open (and no, not to make excuses for the wine). Bottom line, it was not a perfect showing. It was a good showing, but I can’t help but wonder if rushed/end of the night service had something to do with that. All the parts were there, but for me, they didn’t fully amalgamate the way the could (and should) have. I’ll try to hold remaining bottles to see what 15 years from vintage looks like.

    2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (5)

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JancisRobinson.com

JamesSuckling.com

JancisRobinson.com

Vinous

  • By Antonio Galloni
    Harlan Estate Vertical at The Naples Winter Wine Festival (Sep 2017), 9/1/2017, (See more on Vinous...)

    (Harlan Harlan Estate Napa Red) Login and sign up and see review text.

JancisRobinson.com

Vinous

  • By Antonio Galloni
    2013 Napa Valley: Once Upon a Time in America… (Oct 2015), 10/1/2015, (See more on Vinous...)

    (Harlan Harlan Estate Napa Valley) Login and sign up and see review text.

The World of Fine Wine

Vinous

  • By Antonio Galloni
    New Releases from Napa Valley: 2012 and 2013 (Dec 2014), 10/1/2014, (See more on Vinous...)

    (Harlan Estate Harlan Estate Oakville) Login and sign up and see review text.
  • By Stephen Tanzer
    May/June 2014, IWC Issue #174, (See more on Vinous...)

    (Harlan Estate Red Wine Napa Valley) Login and sign up and see review text.

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