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Harlan Estate Vertical tasting
WSPC
Tasted March 3, 2023 by kostaslonis with 124 views
Introduction
A vertical tasting of Harlan Estate at WSPC with the guidance of the estate's Technical Director Francois Vignaud.
The tasting went from old to new, decision based on biodynamic calender (!)
Flight 1 (5 notes)
Red
1999 Harlan Estate
12yo vines, bottle came from family cellar just for this event, bottle open 12.00, 1 glass taken out and then poured back in the bottle, tasted 13.40. 1999 was a cold vintage, average rainfall, cold till August, harvest 20th Sept till end of October, 100% new oak
-/-
The wine shows evolved color, red brown color
In the nose, the wine shows evolved profile, decadent, raisin notes, coffee notes, dried fruit, red currant, earthy, olive notes, black cherries. Very fresh marmalade notes, juice, overripe, it has a fine thin oak frame, dried herbs, blueberry and prunes.
In the palate, the wine shows warmth, coffee notes again, chocolate notes, fine tannins, acidity biting the tip of the tongue, drier than the nose, fruit-wise, the palate shows evolution, medium body and finish. Later in the tasting, the oak gets more upfront
-/-
The wine shows evolved color, red brown color
In the nose, the wine shows evolved profile, decadent, raisin notes, coffee notes, dried fruit, red currant, earthy, olive notes, black cherries. Very fresh marmalade notes, juice, overripe, it has a fine thin oak frame, dried herbs, blueberry and prunes.
In the palate, the wine shows warmth, coffee notes again, chocolate notes, fine tannins, acidity biting the tip of the tongue, drier than the nose, fruit-wise, the palate shows evolution, medium body and finish. Later in the tasting, the oak gets more upfront
Red
2011 Harlan Estate
Cool winter, due to heavy fog they were not fully biodynamic (starting converting on 2008), harvest mid-October to mid-November, 80% new oak, 12.000 btl, bottle open 12.00 and tasted 13.50
-/-
The color is much denser.
The wine shows freshness, black fruit, a touch warm, licorice, black cherry & currant, light in the nose and a character, fine oak frame, balanced.
Palate showing again finesse, there is a touch of developing notes, some dried fruit, raisin, dried red currant notes, coffee, chocolate, alcohol heat, the tannins are a bit drying, medium body, medium finish, some toast notes in the nose too.
-/-
The color is much denser.
The wine shows freshness, black fruit, a touch warm, licorice, black cherry & currant, light in the nose and a character, fine oak frame, balanced.
Palate showing again finesse, there is a touch of developing notes, some dried fruit, raisin, dried red currant notes, coffee, chocolate, alcohol heat, the tannins are a bit drying, medium body, medium finish, some toast notes in the nose too.
Red
2017 Harlan Estate
Two heat waves, 2nd during harvest causing the plats to shut down, they waited for 10 days to start again. A portion of the grapes were thrown away due to smoke taint, 70% new oak, bottle open 12.00 and tasted 14.10
-/-
The wine shows freshness, black fruit, cherry, berry, the wine shows fine thin oak frame, chocolate notes, plums, vanilla, coconut freshness, lively, very juicy, a few espresso notes in the back, fruit liqueur notes, maraschino cherries.
The palate is very juicy, freshness, the fruit is darker, the tannins are fine, the acidity is elevated. The wine shows some warmth, medium body and long finish flavoured with coffee notes and raisins. There is a different dried/sugar coated fruit note here in this vintage. Light on its feet, juicy and elegant (all things considered)
-/-
The wine shows freshness, black fruit, cherry, berry, the wine shows fine thin oak frame, chocolate notes, plums, vanilla, coconut freshness, lively, very juicy, a few espresso notes in the back, fruit liqueur notes, maraschino cherries.
The palate is very juicy, freshness, the fruit is darker, the tannins are fine, the acidity is elevated. The wine shows some warmth, medium body and long finish flavoured with coffee notes and raisins. There is a different dried/sugar coated fruit note here in this vintage. Light on its feet, juicy and elegant (all things considered)
Red
2018 Harlan Estate
Mild winter, great conditions, natural yeast, 60% new oak, bottle open 12.00 tasted 14.20
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The wine is full on freshness, a joy to smell, dark red cherries, sou cherry, blue notes, elegant liqueur notes, fleshy, there is a strange incense element too that adds complexity, floral notes, fruit glaze on a cake, light jam-my notes.
The palate is juicy, medium to full body, elegant tannins, coffee notes, elevated acidity, feels warmer, plums, needs to calm down, long finish.
Tight for now, with time it gets a touch warmer
-/-
The wine is full on freshness, a joy to smell, dark red cherries, sou cherry, blue notes, elegant liqueur notes, fleshy, there is a strange incense element too that adds complexity, floral notes, fruit glaze on a cake, light jam-my notes.
The palate is juicy, medium to full body, elegant tannins, coffee notes, elevated acidity, feels warmer, plums, needs to calm down, long finish.
Tight for now, with time it gets a touch warmer
Red
2019 Harlan Estate
Similar vintage conditions to 2019 but on January and February had lost of rain, twice than normal, 60% new oak, bottle open 12.00 tasted 14.30
-/-
The wine shows different profile, thick fruit core, black fruit, plums, very fresh, juicy, very elegant, the fruit covers all the oak, the purity is amazing, well balanced.
The palate shows the same profile as the nose, tannins tight but not angular, nice acidity (slightly less than 2018), here you see the oak more, full body, long finish with a touch of pyrazine in it adding freshness. A magnificent wine
-/-
The wine shows different profile, thick fruit core, black fruit, plums, very fresh, juicy, very elegant, the fruit covers all the oak, the purity is amazing, well balanced.
The palate shows the same profile as the nose, tannins tight but not angular, nice acidity (slightly less than 2018), here you see the oak more, full body, long finish with a touch of pyrazine in it adding freshness. A magnificent wine
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