2013 Harlan Estate

Community Tasting Notes (14) Avg Score: 96.0 points

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  5/19/2023 - Juliansi Likes this wine: 96 Points

  Near perfection, and one which I expect will be "perfect" over the next 10 years. Simply incredible, and a privilege to have this with TC who shared his bottle for me (We cracked opened his case of 6!), RF bro (Who kindly shared his lovely Velvet Glove 2011) and YSL bro too.
  
  Besides the Aussie cult VG 2011, we also had a Las Cases 1996 and Haut-Brion 2000 together with this stellar Harlan 2013 that night.
  
  We decanted this wine for over 2 hours, double-decanted it back into the beautiful bottle, and then let it breathe for a further 2 hours in Wagyumafia Hong Kong enjoying every sip.
  
  I enjoyed the subtle cassis and cedar aromas during the decant, but by the time the night arrived, there were glorious aromas of blue flowers, blackcurrants, blackberries, and graphite too. Stunning!
  
  The precision and focus of this Harlan 2013 made my spine tingle when I had this on my palate for the first ever time. Full-bodied, with a deep tannic structure which was supple and soft at the same time. Full of complexity and contrasts, this was such an intellectual wine!
  
  Dense purple and near black to the rim, with a palate that showed milk chocolate, more black fruit and fragrant cedar at the same time. The mouthfeel progressed to one which felt like a silk glove, and I could only describe the memory as one which was ethereal and so light.
  
  The purity and opulence of this Harlan was outstanding, and the finish at least a minute long. Was that a hint of pepper and spice at the mid-palate too?
  
  Truly great on its own, but simply spine-tingling when enjoyed with a great piece of steak which we had at Wagyumafia Hong Kong, course after course. This crescendo led up to the A5 Miyazaki where this Harlan cut through that fat like a surgeon would! It seemed to further release the flavours and nuances of this incredible wine.
  
  I concur, this is truly a first-growth property, and they have already achieved their vision to produce the finest Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine made in the New World (all of the world?).
  
  Annual output of Harlan is circa 14,000 to 24,000 bottles, thus it is an honour to be able to enjoy one. Why? Typically, one can only get a bottle if one is on their exclusive mailing list and be part of the allocation system. On release its circa USD 500-800, but they presently exchange hands at closer to USD 1500-2000 per bottle!
  
  Reminding me of that moment in Montreal 1976 when Nadia Comăneci, (born November 12, 1961, Oneşti, Romania), became the first gymnast to be awarded a perfect score of 10 in an Olympic Games, this 2013 vintage was rated by critics .. JS 100, WA 100, and.. Vinous 99!
  
  From James Sucklings vintage review of Napa in 2013:
  Great wines seem to be in abundance in 2013. In fact, JS gave perfect scores to seven Napa wines that year. He compared their quality to classic bottles as the legendary 1982 Mouton-Rothschild or even 1961 Latour
  
  The outstanding 2013 Napa reds show a cool, fresh character. Whilst clearly rich and ripe but the freshness is always there. Winemakers say that the 2013 vintage had extremely even growing season, never too hot or too cold. There were no heat spikes, and grapes ripened to perfection with thick skins and small berries to assure plenty of tannins. Crop size was generous too.
  
  I must look-up some 2012 vintages, as the top wines of 2012 showed as much tannins but with even more fruit and delicacy.
  
  And, I also read James Suckling notes from 2022:
  When asked “What is the most exciting wine country in the world at the moment?” He replied.. "It was the United States"!
  
  JS describes about the development of both experience and the age of vineyards in the US and especially Napa. He sees young people with dedication to quality in the bottle, showing great energy and focus too. With the vineyards reaching 20 or even 30 years of age, some of the best grapes are being produced.
  
  JS visited Harlan, Bond and Promontory in Napa Valley - He observed Will Harlan and his team pushing the envelope to make the best wine on earth, redefining great Napa reds and American wines in general.
  
  The wines have shown a gradual evolution from opulence to energy. Previously it was about fruit intensity, but now it’s about structure, length and tension - The hallmark of great European wines!
  
  The Harlan vines are now entering into the fourth decade and Will describes, "We are delving deeper into what Harlan can be just with vine age".
  
  History:
  The legendary Bill Harlan was inspired by the equally important Robert Mondavi. In a visit to Bordeaux and Burgundy with Mondavi, Bill Harlan was inspired to create his vision of a First Growth California winery. Harlan Estate was founded in 1984.
  
  Bill was quite the adventurer - Flying planes, gambling professionally in Poker, settled on a career in real estate buying and selling properties and converting apartments to condominiums!
  
  It was a run down country club that Bill turned into the number one hotel and resort in Napa Valley, Meadowood. Shortly after that, Harlan purchased undeveloped land from the Stellings, which soon became Harlan Estate.
  
  Back in 1979, the purchase started with a 40 acre parcel of land. Those vines were located next to what became Bond. Bill chose hillside vineyards because on his visit to Bordeaux he noticed the best vineyards were located on hillsides with good drainage.
  
  Wagyumafia, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
  19 May 2023

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  5/6/2022 - skurtz Likes this wine: 95 Points

  Thanks Garth for bringing this to my b-day party! For me this was *WOW*, huge balanced expressions of red fruit and mineral. My WOTN tied with one of my favorite Barolos. No detailed notes.

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  11/8/2020 - Grant h Likes this wine: 99 Points

  Superb, one of the best California cabs I have ever enjoyed, and what an epic day to celebrate with this wine.

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  11/7/2020 - Grant h wrote:

  November 7, 2020. Drink with George. and Elle. The night Biden declared his victory. A great celebration.

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  6/6/2019 - SmokeTaint Likes this wine: 99 Points

  Tasted 2012 BONDs (horizontal) at Angler then Harlan: '14 '04 '13 '03 and '96 Harlan with dinner at Saison
  
  The 2013 is in a closed down phase, needs time to come out of it.

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