The 2013 vintage in Napa sometimes reminds me of that old folk song, “She’ll be coming around the mountain when she comes.” Despite its many verses, the song never describes the moment when she actually, you know, comes around the mountain, a circular futility that honors the song’s origins (originally describing the second coming, which - whatever your belief system - is still TBD). In vinous terms, the critics rain acclaim on the 2013 vintage, and some wines were open for business early. For others, though, we’re nine years in and still waiting for Godot.
This is the latter kind of wine. Dark purple in color and medium in body, the wine carries intriguing but cool aromas of blackberry, baking chocolate, graphite, and thyme. The flavors are still coiled and grumpy (as if to yell “get off my lawn”), with notes of blueberry skin, espresso, peppercorn, and volcanic rock, followed by a dark and peppery finish (think Turkish coffee). 14.5% alcohol. I decanted three hours, which only softened the dense wine around the edges. Wait until 2025 and, in the meantime, keep a lookout for those six white horses.
Napa and Bordeaux gathering (Clarity - Vienna, Virginia): Explosive cult cab nose displaying concentrated opulent black fruit, cremes de cassis, blackberry liqueur, blueberry pie, licorice, luxurious oak, cappuccino, lead pencil sweet spices and mineral. Exceptional concentration, layers upon layers of rich concentrated black fruit, unctuous and rich, good silkiness, perfect amount of acidity and mineral, strong but very sweet tannins, and a long ripe black fruit driven finish with luxurious oak at the end. This may require another decade to be ready. It might be a Jedi mind trick but this is very Harlaneqsue.
Pleasantly surprised how approachable this wine is at this stage. The tannins are sweet and soft, not drying, and the mouthfeel is round and plush. Not overwhelming juice, but nice blackberry, cassis and dust. Nice vanilla and caramel notes but not over oaked or over alcoholed. Medium to long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
1/14/2022 - msuwine wrote: 92 Points
The 2013 vintage in Napa sometimes reminds me of that old folk song, “She’ll be coming around the mountain when she comes.” Despite its many verses, the song never describes the moment when she actually, you know, comes around the mountain, a circular futility that honors the song’s origins (originally describing the second coming, which - whatever your belief system - is still TBD). In vinous terms, the critics rain acclaim on the 2013 vintage, and some wines were open for business early. For others, though, we’re nine years in and still waiting for Godot.
This is the latter kind of wine. Dark purple in color and medium in body, the wine carries intriguing but cool aromas of blackberry, baking chocolate, graphite, and thyme. The flavors are still coiled and grumpy (as if to yell “get off my lawn”), with notes of blueberry skin, espresso, peppercorn, and volcanic rock, followed by a dark and peppery finish (think Turkish coffee). 14.5% alcohol. I decanted three hours, which only softened the dense wine around the edges. Wait until 2025 and, in the meantime, keep a lookout for those six white horses.
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
9/29/2021 - dcwino wrote: 97 Points
Napa and Bordeaux gathering (Clarity - Vienna, Virginia): Explosive cult cab nose displaying concentrated opulent black fruit, cremes de cassis, blackberry liqueur, blueberry pie, licorice, luxurious oak, cappuccino, lead pencil sweet spices and mineral. Exceptional concentration, layers upon layers of rich concentrated black fruit, unctuous and rich, good silkiness, perfect amount of acidity and mineral, strong but very sweet tannins, and a long ripe black fruit driven finish with luxurious oak at the end. This may require another decade to be ready. It might be a Jedi mind trick but this is very Harlaneqsue.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
2/16/2019 - Sylvain1962 wrote:
Offerte à Léon
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/16/2017 - dfresh wrote: 96 Points
Pleasantly surprised how approachable this wine is at this stage. The tannins are sweet and soft, not drying, and the mouthfeel is round and plush. Not overwhelming juice, but nice blackberry, cassis and dust. Nice vanilla and caramel notes but not over oaked or over alcoholed. Medium to long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment