Only had time to slow ox for 2 hrs and honestly this wine is huge and could have used 6hrs and or a decant Awesome on initial opening then got tight for a bit and opened back If you are lucky enough to have this in your cellar, it will be good for a few more years.
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Fully mature and well balanced. Went great with lamb. Would have guessed bordeaux if I had tasted it blind. Interesting to see the evolution of these cult Cali cabs.
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6 Vintages of Harlan (1995-2018): Some conclusions: 1) The highlight in all Harlan wines and what sets the wine apart from many other high-end Napa wines is the elegance and absolute weightless texture and feel, with the finest tannins and an incredible balance. This became obvious in all vintages. 2) What is a big advantage in young wines, might become a disadvantage with a lot of age. The question I always ask myself with this wine (similar to some right bank Merlots in Bordeaux): is there is enough structure and tension to age gracefully for 30, 40 years? I'm not convinced and the data point added in this tasting (1995, 2005) didn't show as much structure as I hope to have at that age in my Cabs. 3) Gun to my head, I say the ideal drinking window for Harlan is rather 5 to 15 years after the vintage and not 20-40 years. 4) The 2018 vintage is spectacular with an incredibly complex profile but will need a few years to flesh out.
TN: A touch of warmth and quite reductive at first on the nose. With time a bit better but never really hitting all the marks. From the palate through the medium long finish, the wine displays fine red fruit, some ripe dark berries, slightly distracting tomato leaf notes, other herbs and some crushed rocks. I don't particularly like the flavor profile but the precision is on a very good level. The structure is again the highlight with ultra-fine tannins, a high but well interwoven acidity, a slightly creamy texture and weightless feel. This is overall pleasant wine but it's not close to the more structured, more Bordeaux like Dominus 1995, which is my benchmark for this vintage in Napa Valley. 91/92 pts.
Decanting: A bit of decanting (1h+?) is advised as this got cleaner and better by the minute.
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Drinking very well out of magnum tonight and it really evolved after being open for 2+ hours. Quite concentrated with rich bluish/black fruit along with complex notes of cassis, ripe berries and eucalyptus. At a very nice middle ground now as it's fully integrated and just beginning to show some mature flavors of violet spice and sweet Napa earth. A great showing tonight.
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A wonderful mouthful of boysenberry and soft tannins. The terrific 1995 Cali cab vintage finally beginning to lose its grip and give way to full maturity at age 25.
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9 Vintages of Harlan (1994-2014): Some conclusions/highlights: Harlan is certainly one of the most consistently elegant, feminine Napa wines. Wonderfully smooth structure and texture, airiness in the best possible way. Exceptional! Still, they’re not light and come with a very good aromatic pressure and complexity. While the most recent vintages showed close to perfection, the vintages from the 90s didn‘t live up to expectations. Unfortunately, they (and I include the 2004) all seemed on the downward path showing signs of fatigue with some unwanted tones on the nose (not palate) despite a most perfect provenance. The younger vintages (coming not from 10 but 30+ year old wines) will certainly have a much longer life. The best wine was the 2012, followed by 2014, 2013 and 2005. Especially the young vintages are certainly among the best Napa has to offer and worth buying.
TN: In a flight with the 94 and 95, this was the youngest wine with more aromatic pressure, intensity and tension. Mint, ripe red and dark red fruit and sadly just hints of a too old wine with Maggi/borth on the nose. No sign of age, however, on the smooth, finely textured palate displaying mint, dark and red fruit, fresh herbs, smoke, graphite, mint. Nicely layered with the hallmark fine tannin structure. Good balance and length. Nose 90. Palate 95+.
Decanting: 2.5h slow-ox, 40+ minutes in the glass. Given some signs of fatigue on the nose, I would not decant the wine.
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Harlan vertical (Clouds restaurant, Zurich): Harlan vertical of 9 vintages over 25 years (1994-96, 2004-06, 2012-14), quite rare apparently and not many of these happening outside of Switzerland – benefit of living in a high GDP per capita country I guess. All wines excelled distinctly with softness, elegance and feminine showings as well as perfectly integrated tannins, especially for the naughties. Wine of the night was 2012 with 2005 the runner-up and 2014 not far behind. The 1990ies showed early signs of tiring unfortunately, but maybe not a big surprise given vines were only about 10 years old back then. Francois Vignaud, an associate with Harlan, co-hosted the event and shared plenty of insights. See the tasting story for more on this. As we were explained, the 1990ies represented the childhood years for this still rather recent estate (founded 1984, first vintage 1990). The 2000s were characterized as the teenage years in slightly warmer vintages where you have to careful with the 2001-04 (all still very powerful) but where the 2005 and 2006 are reaching ideal levels of integration now. The 2010s, finally, Francois highlighted that the estate felt they arrived exactly where they wanted to be in terms of how Harlan understands their product and that they have never produced better wines than today. All bottles were opened 2.5h before the start.
Medium intensity. Slightly darker appearance and a bit more heat. Aging has left tertiary notes in the mix but not yet dominant. Fruit more red cherry than ripe cassis in what seems to be a more fruit forward vinification. Some herbal notes (green tea) there too. Still quite fresh, but also comes across at the verge of getting tired on the palate with towering acidity and the fruit in the background. Decent tension keeps the parts together still but I fear not for much longer.
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Zachy's Harlan Dinner (Riverpark Restaurant, New York): Has a much younger profile and I was surprised to learn this was a 1995. Dense and concentrated. Menthol with a hint of herbaciousness. This is a big wine and needs more time to come out of its shell.
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Deep, dark purple. Blackberry, plum, mocha, and a hint of leather on the big, expressive, hedonistic nose. The 1995 Harlan Estate is remarkably fruit-forward giving its age, but maturity has benefited its texture, which is plush, silky, and polished. Finishes long and rich.
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Drank head-to-head with 2000 Margaux. The Margaux won hands down. We didn't even finish the Harlan! I have had Harlan before and and enjoyed it. Might just be past its prime from 1995.
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Decanted for 3 h. Big riedel glasses. Giant nose of dark fruits , herbs and mint. Unbelievable pressure in the middle. Big body but not heavy. This extrem powerful wine has an acid structure for the perfect balance. Neverending finish. Drink and smile !!!!!! Wont improve but no hurry
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USA 1995 (@ JK): The bouquet of this wine is extremely mature with lavas and celery. On the palate the same. This wine has probably been stored much too warm for many years. What a great pity!
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Mostly domestic wine dinner (Eddie V's - Tysons Corner): Along with the 02 Arajuo, most refined and beautifully balanced red of the night. Expressive refine nose displaying plum, crème de cassis, cappuccino and leather. Excellent concentration, silky and polished, nicely integrated tannins and lovely long finish. I am loving the silkiness, energy and precision.
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Compared directly to the 1994, these are completely different style of wines, you would never guess they are both Harlans. Dark fruit, chocolate, cocoa, black cherry, firm tannins on the backend kept in check with the massive fruit. Much more New World in style then the '94.
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Domestic Red Wine Dinner - 94 & 95 Harlan, 05 Bionic, Selosse Le Bout du Clos and etc. (Eddie V's - Tysons Corner): Very fascinating to compare with the 94. This shows a lot more red fruit, cherry, plum, cappuccino, a hint of leather and earth. Very polished and precise palate, sweet red fruit and cedar driven palate impression, sweet tannins and lovely long finish. For my palate, a couple steps below the 94. Nevertheless, this is a very refine style of Harlan.
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Beaten out by 96 Dominus and 96 Montebello in tasting group, but I came around on this one. Nose was more subdued, but with time fineness of tannins came through. Very enjoyable.
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Very disappointing given extremely high expectations. Drank New Year's eve with awesome veal chop/cabernet sauce. Had a bit of a "tinny" taste and nose and not as plush or deep as I would have expected given other Harlans. Obviously this is quality stuff, but didn't strike me as a high 90 wine at its peak.
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Our tasting group put together a tasting of the best 1995 and 1996 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines and this was the wine of the tasting, and for good reason! – Sublime in every sense of the word, the wine delivers a beautiful, sexy, silky, delicious, never ending mouthful of decadently, perfectly ripe fruit. The nose is intoxicating, the appearance is youthful and the finish lingers and expands for close to 50 seconds! This is a benchmark for California Cabernet Sauvignon.
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Aromatic nose of ripe red berries, some leathers, and some damp earth, although not as deep and intricate as that on the '96. Tight, tart, tannic, and hot palate that seemed unusually peppery. Some nice red cedar intermittent throughout. Fruit is in a good space. Fine, but opt for the '96 if you are faced with the choice.
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decanted 2 hours and 45 minutes prior to serving. a little burnt rubber at first, smoky, still slightly closed. Opened up a little later, and it was very well-balanced. Still grippy on the palate after 20 years.
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I think we had this too young. Decanted for 4 hours and the nose developed nicely with some eucalyptus nuances. The massive juice on the palate mask any multi-dimensioned taste offerings. The last Harlans we have had were 1990-1993s and this seemed like a different style; more of a Parkerized heavyweight and not as pleasant.
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Lovely purple color with a bouquet and flavor of black cassis, with little in the way of herbal notes. The wine developed some tobacco flavors after airing. It was well balanced and only a little short of perfectly rounded and smooth. It had an interesting finish, with a bit of sweetness, not present at the opening.
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My very high score reflects the complete success this wine is on its own very California terms. Bold, very fruity but not sweet, oaky but not heavy-handed. In fact, the balance is impeccable. At age 19, there is not even a hint of fatigue. What it's lacking is the complexity that age brings to traditional European wines such as Bordeaux. I don't know for sure, but I get the feeling this wine probably tasted about the same at age five.
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Judgement of Sydney Blind Tasting: Bursts forth with cherry, rose, blackberry, briar and spices. Fantastic balance that is driven by gripping but seamless tannin structure. Very good acidity plays off against deep and luscious fruit. Shows its quality at every step. Fantastic, exhilarating wine.
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No overoaked fruit bomb. It's splendid in its regal maturity but not fading at all, except for the bit of orange creeping into the rim of its deep ruby center. I especially liked the harmonic long finish with just the right amount of suave tannins and no annoying sour acids I have been experiencing lately in many reds. Full of dark cherry flavor, good complexity in California terms, just plain lovely.
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The 1995 Harlan Estate is a massive, luscious wine, laden with blackberry fruit, mocha, and more evolved aromas of plums and cedar. This packs quite a textural punch, and while at nineteen years of age it is remarkably fruit-forward it is by no means monolithic. While my preference is for what I sense are the more refined, detailed and savory qualities of more recent vintages, there is no denying this wine's hedonistic appeal and monumental scale!
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Best wine of 2014 so far. Drank with RHansen alongside a 95 Araujo. The difference between the two wines was glaring. Harlan was alive, dynamic and stunning throughout the evening. At 3 hours it was similar to an 86 Mouton. The Araujo was flaccid and harsh by the 2nd hour.
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Classic California cult done right. Big on fruit forward flavor even after 19 years. Nice buffering of tannin. Juicy, almost succulent. Multifaceted without reaching true complexity - but that's what I'm looking for.
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Clearly outstanding in a California way. Luscious and deeply fruity; soft and smooth. The oak is under control. Not at all sweet but gives that impression, especially in aroma. What it lacks is complexity or multiple layers, so what you get on the first sip is what you get on the last sip.
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thanks to Duane for cracking this. Has the hallmark grappa nose that i find from harlan. in the mouth a big tannic wine yet completely dry. beautiful fruit and in perfect balance. tight and laser focused, nothing sloppy going on here. should last for decades to come.
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Now I am starting to "get" Cal Cults, or at least Harlan. Only the best examples like this one, are even more interesting with age. This time, the color was consistent with age, showing lightening and a bit of orange at the rim. Massively fruity, black fruits, brown sugar, prune, dried currants. Hugely rich in the mouth. It has layers of flavor, definitely not a monolithic fruit bomb. It's not Bordeaux, it's very California, it's oaky and it is indubitably a great wine to all but the extremely oak adverse.
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Wow! The first sip captures your attention with its display of truffle, smoke, licorice, boysenberry and blackberries. Intense, rich, , plush, full bodied and powerful, yet, refined and elegant, there is nothing out of place from start to finish.
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This was a fantastic bottle. Seamless . Intense dark fruit and spicebox on the nose. great mouthfeel beginning to end, smooth , silky , and big all at the same time. This showed better than the 95 Margaux side by side although after several hours, Margaux became very impressive.
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Big act to follow the lynch bages but this performed well. Big and complex yet far from overbearing. Long finish and paired with everything at the table!
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This is a crowd pleaser for sure. Tremendously fruity, black and blue berry galore. Extremely oaky, so it's velvety in texture and vanilla and a bit of chocolate in this milkshake. Holding very well. Ultimately simple, though, without complexity and finess in its full maturity.
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Not as spectacular or flamboyant as the previous bottle, but mighty fine anyway with that dark dried fruit prune/raisin profile. Great balance, well integrated tannins; it won't get better with further aging.
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Drank at W A Frost-St Paul,MN Plum & baking spices overpower the nose. Evolved over three hours from kirsch liquor & milk chocolate to Grand Marnier & rose petals. Well balanced with a few more years left to cellar.
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Opak,çok koyu bordo renkli bu şarabın ön burnunda fıçı,tereyağ,erik ve birazda kiraz gibi güçlü ve olgun siyah meyve ile birlikte topraksılık var.Arkadan böğürtlen,hafif kasis ve karabiber gibi baharat çıkıyor.İzledikçe nane tonları gelişiyor ve kasis biraz daha kuvvetleniyor.Damakta yumuşak.Tanen yapısı,bir Avustralya Shiraz'ındaki gibi ,nerdeyse tatlımsı izlenim verirken,aynı zamanda oldukça kuvvetli.Çiğnenebilir yoğunlukta.Tanen kuvvetini ve asidi hissederken,bunları geçen 16 seneye rağmen hala güçle kaplayan meyveyi farketmemek imkansız. Tüm unsurları bir harmoni içinde.Siyah meyveden zengin oldukça uzun bitiminde,meyve ve asidin belirginliği, yüksek alkolu dengelerken ,aynı zamanda yaklaşık 10 yıl daha içim zamanı olduğunu gösteriyor
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Opak,çok koyu bordo renkli bu şarabın ön burnunda fıçı,tereyağ,erik ve birazda kiraz gibi güçlü ve olgun siyah meyve ile birlikte topraksılık var.Arkadan böğürtlen,hafif kasis ve karabiber gibi baharat çıkıyor.İzledikçe nane tonları gelişiyor ve kasis biraz daha kuvvetleniyor.Damakta yumuşak.Tanen yapısı,bir Avustralya Shiraz'ındaki gibi ,nerdeyse tatlımsı izlenim verirken,aynı zamanda oldukça kuvvetli.Çiğnenebilir yoğunlukta.Tanen kuvvetini ve asidi hissederken,bunları geçen 16 seneye rağmen hala güçle kaplayan meyveyi farketmemek imkansız. Tüm unsurları bir harmoni içinde.Siyah meyveden zengin oldukça uzun bitiminde,meyve ve asidin belirginliği, yüksek alkolu dengelerken ,aynı zamanda yaklaşık 10 yıl daha içim zamanı olduğunu gösteriyor
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Not having tasted a Harlan for many years, I did not know what to expect and whether the hype was justified. It is. Fantastic depth of flavor, oily viscosity and roundness yet not too oaky or tannic. Intense flavors on the brown end of the spectrum, such as brown sugar (not sweet), dark plum, raison, and, especially, prune. There's a distinct resemblance to the 1989 Tertre Roteboeuf, but as marvelous as that exotic St. Emilion is, I give this California wine the edge. Wow.
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Fantastic juice. Dark color - still looks like this has a ways to go. Decanted for about an hour before first sip. Nose of maple, red fruit and sweet candy. A smooth wine in the mouth. Refined and elegant. Nothing to complain about here. Wish I had more but this was my last '95. On to the 02s.
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WOTY? Decanted two hours and drunk over 3 hours. Just improved the whole time. Very Bordeaux like but with better fruit and bigger. One of the best aftertastes ever, starts out with good sweet black currant and some mint, and then gets into tar, burning embers and ash, then broadens into cedar, tobacco and some more fruit. The structure of the wine is flawless, everything is there in perfect harmony including the texture.
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Very dark color. Beautiful nose of cassis and blackberries with a hint of eucalyptus. This just looks, smells and tastes of classy juice. Rich cassis fruit with notes of blackberries and chocolate with an ultra-fine texture. Finishes long and complex with firm tannins. Beautifully balanced and not overripe and just oozes refined power. Drinking quite young with many years to go and more complexity to come.
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This was the first bottle of Harlan Estate that my wife and I have ever opened. We took it to a restaurant to celebrate our 2nd wedding anniversary. The wine was EVERYTHING it was supposed to be and with a wonderful filet mignon was just spectacular. Full rich, complex, velvety textures, long smooth finish, with great black fruit flavors.....a wine we will long remember!
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Blockbuster of a wine that still fels incredibly young at age 16... Felt it very similar to the 96. Had more of everything next to the Latour from the same year, both showed beautifully, but with the Harlan you get more fruit, concentration, complexity and length.
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When this was poured, I was told it was the 98 I was blown away by how good the wine was. I was convinced this was the California cabernet of the vintage. When I discovered it was the 95, I did not care, this was compelling. Filled with black cherry jam, licorice, smoke, herbs and truffle scents, this rich, dense wine was a treat for the senses. The wine ends with silky blackberry and chocolate flavors.
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This was a huge surprise. Not that I didn't think it would be good. It was just so damn good. Glorious nose of ripe black fruit, a touch of oak, spice, and tobacco. In the mouth, one of the most texturally pleasing wines I've ever had. Like drinking something soft and beautiful. Juicy doesn't do justice as a descriptor to the fruit. It is framed perfectly in a sea of complexity, with spice, tobacco, earth, and loam notes. Everything is in uncanny balance, with great concentration. Profound. A
Tasting at Harlan Estate. Bottle was opened about one hour prior. Very Bordeaux like. Fantastic aromatics of red currant and cassis with tobacco leaf, cedar, and vanilla. A touch of smoke. Sweet dark red fruits on the palate with nice grip and acidity on the finish. A good bit of structure still left. Very nice.
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Good wine but one of the weaker Harlans we've had. Have rated this wine between 97 and 99 before. There was nothing wrong with this bottle, just not the sublime experience we've normally had.
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I brought this bottle to Ruth Chris to share with my 77 year old father. This wine really opened up in the glass over the evening and was outstanding in the glass, great color, awesome depth of aroma of berries, smoke, tar and just plain great. Awesome.
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nice nose after opening up in decanter for an hour+, dried fruits- cherry, blackberry, long finish evolved nicely over 2-3 hours, not the shear power of the 97, rating 94
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Harlan Estates Vertical w/ Brad England and Greg Gregory (WA Frost, St Paul, MN): This is a beauty. Dark purple/red -- almost black -- in color. The nose gives black fruit with a very strong minerality and a hint of dried herbs. The ripe black fruit proves to be extremely concentrated on the palate, but there is plenty of structure to support it. Perfectly balanced, yet intense. The ripe fruit borders just on the right side of overripe. I would call this a dead heat with the 1994 -- this is slightly more structured and the 1994 is slightly more velvety. A beautiful wine.
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Harlan Vertical Tasting 1990-2002 (WA Frost, St. Paul): Jammy, plummy purple fruits. Big, extracted, and thick. Huge structure. Showed less minerality than the 1994 or 1991. Mouth-coating and velvety, with ripe tannins. Clearly made in a riper style, with sweeter fruit. Awesome stuff.
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Seattle Tasting Group 'End of Year Dinner' #3 (Sammamish, WA): OMFG!!!! Dense, slightly pruney, powerful, brooding, dense again (hey, it was in my notes twice), spice-cake, this is utterly massive! In the mouth this is a wall of black fruit, lightly floral and then a note from my book: "Who put the Pride Reserve in my glass???" Sheesh, this hit just glorious heights, and the utter opulence of the wine outshone a pair of stunning Bordeaux. Perfect. Showstopping. Wine of the night.
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BLIND 1995 Bordeaux etc...: Served BLIND. Lush. Dense. Dark cherry fruit. Cola. Some sweet oak. Very nice. CA Cab ringer?? This was the second time I have had the '95 Harlan, and I feel it is one of the best CA wines I have had.
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Dinner with Bill Shea at Morton's in Orlando. The aroma exuding from the decanter as this wine was being poured only gave a hint of things to come. This is a prolific wine. Perfectly balanced, fully integrated, and loads of fruit gushing out of it's smooth, silky finish. As the night wore on it only got better. Drink now through 2015.
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Great Cult Tasting: Showing much better than the 1994 tonight. Syrupy, sweet fruit. Nice extraction. Excellent wine... but did not seem very structred... I think lack of decanting and palate fatigue is preventing a good evaluation.
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1/19/2023 - Mdog Likes this wine: 95 Points
Only had time to slow ox for 2 hrs and honestly this wine is huge and could have used 6hrs and or a decant
Awesome on initial opening then got tight for a bit and opened back
If you are lucky enough to have this in your cellar, it will be good for a few more years.
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5/16/2022 - BaroloRob wrote: 94 Points
Fully mature and well balanced. Went great with lamb. Would have guessed bordeaux if I had tasted it blind. Interesting to see the evolution of these cult Cali cabs.
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3/11/2022 - Cailles wrote: 92 Points
6 Vintages of Harlan (1995-2018): Some conclusions: 1) The highlight in all Harlan wines and what sets the wine apart from many other high-end Napa wines is the elegance and absolute weightless texture and feel, with the finest tannins and an incredible balance. This became obvious in all vintages. 2) What is a big advantage in young wines, might become a disadvantage with a lot of age. The question I always ask myself with this wine (similar to some right bank Merlots in Bordeaux): is there is enough structure and tension to age gracefully for 30, 40 years? I'm not convinced and the data point added in this tasting (1995, 2005) didn't show as much structure as I hope to have at that age in my Cabs. 3) Gun to my head, I say the ideal drinking window for Harlan is rather 5 to 15 years after the vintage and not 20-40 years. 4) The 2018 vintage is spectacular with an incredibly complex profile but will need a few years to flesh out.
TN: A touch of warmth and quite reductive at first on the nose. With time a bit better but never really hitting all the marks. From the palate through the medium long finish, the wine displays fine red fruit, some ripe dark berries, slightly distracting tomato leaf notes, other herbs and some crushed rocks. I don't particularly like the flavor profile but the precision is on a very good level. The structure is again the highlight with ultra-fine tannins, a high but well interwoven acidity, a slightly creamy texture and weightless feel. This is overall pleasant wine but it's not close to the more structured, more Bordeaux like Dominus 1995, which is my benchmark for this vintage in Napa Valley. 91/92 pts.
Decanting: A bit of decanting (1h+?) is advised as this got cleaner and better by the minute.
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8/20/2021 - fcxj wrote: 94 Points
From magnum. Silky palate, quite complete. Guess could be California, has the sweetness.
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5/25/2021 - dream Likes this wine: 94 Points
Drinking very well out of magnum tonight and it really evolved after being open for 2+ hours. Quite concentrated with rich bluish/black fruit along with complex notes of cassis, ripe berries and eucalyptus. At a very nice middle ground now as it's fully integrated and just beginning to show some mature flavors of violet spice and sweet Napa earth. A great showing tonight.
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1/13/2021 - Dako Likes this wine: 94 Points
A wonderful mouthful of boysenberry and soft tannins. The terrific 1995 Cali cab vintage finally beginning to lose its grip and give way to full maturity at age 25.
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12/6/2020 - Frank Schneider wrote: flawed
Corked f...f...f...
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11/25/2020 - Tom Myers Likes this wine: 96 Points
This wine still has a big game after 25 years in the bottle!
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5/21/2019 - Cailles wrote: 93 Points
9 Vintages of Harlan (1994-2014): Some conclusions/highlights: Harlan is certainly one of the most consistently elegant, feminine Napa wines. Wonderfully smooth structure and texture, airiness in the best possible way. Exceptional! Still, they’re not light and come with a very good aromatic pressure and complexity. While the most recent vintages showed close to perfection, the vintages from the 90s didn‘t live up to expectations. Unfortunately, they (and I include the 2004) all seemed on the downward path showing signs of fatigue with some unwanted tones on the nose (not palate) despite a most perfect provenance. The younger vintages (coming not from 10 but 30+ year old wines) will certainly have a much longer life. The best wine was the 2012, followed by 2014, 2013 and 2005. Especially the young vintages are certainly among the best Napa has to offer and worth buying.
TN: In a flight with the 94 and 95, this was the youngest wine with more aromatic pressure, intensity and tension. Mint, ripe red and dark red fruit and sadly just hints of a too old wine with Maggi/borth on the nose. No sign of age, however, on the smooth, finely textured palate displaying mint, dark and red fruit, fresh herbs, smoke, graphite, mint. Nicely layered with the hallmark fine tannin structure. Good balance and length. Nose 90. Palate 95+.
Decanting: 2.5h slow-ox, 40+ minutes in the glass. Given some signs of fatigue on the nose, I would not decant the wine.
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5/21/2019 - sirpat00 wrote: 93 Points
Harlan vertical (Clouds restaurant, Zurich): Harlan vertical of 9 vintages over 25 years (1994-96, 2004-06, 2012-14), quite rare apparently and not many of these happening outside of Switzerland – benefit of living in a high GDP per capita country I guess. All wines excelled distinctly with softness, elegance and feminine showings as well as perfectly integrated tannins, especially for the naughties. Wine of the night was 2012 with 2005 the runner-up and 2014 not far behind. The 1990ies showed early signs of tiring unfortunately, but maybe not a big surprise given vines were only about 10 years old back then. Francois Vignaud, an associate with Harlan, co-hosted the event and shared plenty of insights. See the tasting story for more on this. As we were explained, the 1990ies represented the childhood years for this still rather recent estate (founded 1984, first vintage 1990). The 2000s were characterized as the teenage years in slightly warmer vintages where you have to careful with the 2001-04 (all still very powerful) but where the 2005 and 2006 are reaching ideal levels of integration now. The 2010s, finally, Francois highlighted that the estate felt they arrived exactly where they wanted to be in terms of how Harlan understands their product and that they have never produced better wines than today. All bottles were opened 2.5h before the start.
Medium intensity. Slightly darker appearance and a bit more heat. Aging has left tertiary notes in the mix but not yet dominant. Fruit more red cherry than ripe cassis in what seems to be a more fruit forward vinification. Some herbal notes (green tea) there too. Still quite fresh, but also comes across at the verge of getting tired on the palate with towering acidity and the fruit in the background. Decent tension keeps the parts together still but I fear not for much longer.
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5/13/2019 - nywine68 wrote: 93 Points
Zachy's Harlan Dinner (Riverpark Restaurant, New York): Has a much younger profile and I was surprised to learn this was a 1995. Dense and concentrated. Menthol with a hint of herbaciousness. This is a big wine and needs more time to come out of its shell.
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7/26/2017 - rlove wrote: 94 Points
Deep, dark purple. Blackberry, plum, mocha, and a hint of leather on the big, expressive, hedonistic nose. The 1995 Harlan Estate is remarkably fruit-forward giving its age, but maturity has benefited its texture, which is plush, silky, and polished. Finishes long and rich.
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7/25/2017 - ddavoust Does not like this wine: 90 Points
Drank head-to-head with 2000 Margaux. The Margaux won hands down. We didn't even finish the Harlan! I have had Harlan before and and enjoyed it. Might just be past its prime from 1995.
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7/25/2017 - Frank Schneider wrote: 100 Points
Decanted for 3 h. Big riedel glasses. Giant nose of dark fruits , herbs and mint. Unbelievable pressure in the middle. Big body but not heavy. This extrem powerful wine has an acid structure for the perfect balance. Neverending finish. Drink and smile !!!!!! Wont improve but no hurry
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9/24/2016 - Zweder wrote: flawed
USA 1995 (@ JK): The bouquet of this wine is extremely mature with lavas and celery. On the palate the same. This wine has probably been stored much too warm for many years. What a great pity!
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9/24/2016 - jkoenen wrote: flawed
95 Napa-Retrospective (Restaurant Bottles, Sas van Gent): Cooked. Seemed too old...
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9/8/2016 - dcwino wrote: 96 Points
Mostly domestic wine dinner (Eddie V's - Tysons Corner): Along with the 02 Arajuo, most refined and beautifully balanced red of the night. Expressive refine nose displaying plum, crème de cassis, cappuccino and leather. Excellent concentration, silky and polished, nicely integrated tannins and lovely long finish. I am loving the silkiness, energy and precision.
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7/4/2016 - pakabear Likes this wine: 96 Points
Compared directly to the 1994, these are completely different style of wines, you would never guess they are both Harlans. Dark fruit, chocolate, cocoa, black cherry, firm tannins on the backend kept in check with the massive fruit. Much more New World in style then the '94.
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6/30/2016 - dcwino wrote: 96 Points
Domestic Red Wine Dinner - 94 & 95 Harlan, 05 Bionic, Selosse Le Bout du Clos and etc. (Eddie V's - Tysons Corner): Very fascinating to compare with the 94. This shows a lot more red fruit, cherry, plum, cappuccino, a hint of leather and earth. Very polished and precise palate, sweet red fruit and cedar driven palate impression, sweet tannins and lovely long finish. For my palate, a couple steps below the 94. Nevertheless, this is a very refine style of Harlan.
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5/20/2016 - robertek wrote: 97 Points
A very very good bottle of Harlan. Perfectly mature and good to drink - at the same time I'm sure it will be great 20 years from now as well.
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2/25/2016 - fcxj wrote: 92 Points
Beaten out by 96 Dominus and 96 Montebello in tasting group, but I came around on this one. Nose was more subdued, but with time fineness of tannins came through. Very enjoyable.
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1/17/2016 - Agreenblatt wrote:
Decanted for 3 hours and was still drinking great through hour 5. Great structure on this 20 year Napa cab.
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1/3/2016 - levinml wrote: 93 Points
Very disappointing given extremely high expectations. Drank New Year's eve with awesome veal chop/cabernet sauce. Had a bit of a "tinny" taste and nose and not as plush or deep as I would have expected given other Harlans. Obviously this is quality stuff, but didn't strike me as a high 90 wine at its peak.
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1/2/2016 - Agreenblatt wrote: 96 Points
Great structure. Can age 5 more years easily. Was still getting better after 3 hours in a decanter.
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12/9/2015 - Jeff Leve wrote: 99 Points
Our tasting group put together a tasting of the best 1995 and 1996 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines and this was the wine of the tasting, and for good reason! – Sublime in every sense of the word, the wine delivers a beautiful, sexy, silky, delicious, never ending mouthful of decadently, perfectly ripe fruit. The nose is intoxicating, the appearance is youthful and the finish lingers and expands for close to 50 seconds! This is a benchmark for California Cabernet Sauvignon.
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11/10/2015 - The Vines That Bind wrote: 90 Points
Aromatic nose of ripe red berries, some leathers, and some damp earth, although not as deep and intricate as that on the '96. Tight, tart, tannic, and hot palate that seemed unusually peppery. Some nice red cedar intermittent throughout. Fruit is in a good space. Fine, but opt for the '96 if you are faced with the choice.
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10/2/2015 - europat55 wrote: 94 Points
20-30 year old Cab/Bordeaux blends from anywhere in the world (tasted blind) (Andre and Sabine's House, Mountain View, CA): Very rich, gorgeous nose, some heat (A-/A). Very rich palate (A-/A).
My #3, Group's #2 (60pts). Tasted blind. Definitely a gorgeous wine worth drinking on a special occasion... as long as you can afford it!
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9/4/2015 - Peech Likes this wine: 96 Points
decanted 2 hours and 45 minutes prior to serving. a little burnt rubber at first, smoky, still slightly closed. Opened up a little later, and it was very well-balanced. Still grippy on the palate after 20 years.
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4/13/2015 - gondrik Likes this wine: 94 Points
I think we had this too young. Decanted for 4 hours and the nose developed nicely with some eucalyptus nuances. The massive juice on the palate mask any multi-dimensioned taste offerings. The last Harlans we have had were 1990-1993s and this seemed like a different style; more of a Parkerized heavyweight and not as pleasant.
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2/6/2015 - robtaylor Likes this wine: 96 Points
Exceptional
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12/25/2014 - tcosgriff Likes this wine: 97 Points
Lovely purple color with a bouquet and flavor of black cassis, with little in the way of herbal notes. The wine developed some tobacco flavors after airing. It was well balanced and only a little short of perfectly rounded and smooth. It had an interesting finish, with a bit of sweetness, not present at the opening.
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11/28/2014 - canan wrote: flawed
BYO - US wines (NO.2): Noooooooo.
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10/17/2014 - sdr Likes this wine: 95 Points
My very high score reflects the complete success this wine is on its own very California terms. Bold, very fruity but not sweet, oaky but not heavy-handed. In fact, the balance is impeccable. At age 19, there is not even a hint of fatigue. What it's lacking is the complexity that age brings to traditional European wines such as Bordeaux. I don't know for sure, but I get the feeling this wine probably tasted about the same at age five.
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8/23/2014 - CamWheeler wrote: 97 Points
Judgement of Sydney Blind Tasting: Bursts forth with cherry, rose, blackberry, briar and spices. Fantastic balance that is driven by gripping but seamless tannin structure. Very good acidity plays off against deep and luscious fruit. Shows its quality at every step. Fantastic, exhilarating wine.
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6/1/2014 - sdr Likes this wine: 94 Points
No overoaked fruit bomb. It's splendid in its regal maturity but not fading at all, except for the bit of orange creeping into the rim of its deep ruby center. I especially liked the harmonic long finish with just the right amount of suave tannins and no annoying sour acids I have been experiencing lately in many reds. Full of dark cherry flavor, good complexity in California terms, just plain lovely.
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5/3/2014 - William Kelley Likes this wine:
The 1995 Harlan Estate is a massive, luscious wine, laden with blackberry fruit, mocha, and more evolved aromas of plums and cedar. This packs quite a textural punch, and while at nineteen years of age it is remarkably fruit-forward it is by no means monolithic. While my preference is for what I sense are the more refined, detailed and savory qualities of more recent vintages, there is no denying this wine's hedonistic appeal and monumental scale!
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3/30/2014 - sdsull wrote: 99 Points
Best wine of 2014 so far. Drank with RHansen alongside a 95 Araujo. The difference between the two wines was glaring. Harlan was alive, dynamic and stunning throughout the evening. At 3 hours it was similar to an 86 Mouton. The Araujo was flaccid and harsh by the 2nd hour.
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1/18/2014 - sdr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Classic California cult done right. Big on fruit forward flavor even after 19 years. Nice buffering of tannin. Juicy, almost succulent. Multifaceted without reaching true complexity - but that's what I'm looking for.
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10/27/2013 - sdr Likes this wine: 94 Points
Clearly outstanding in a California way. Luscious and deeply fruity; soft and smooth. The oak is under control. Not at all sweet but gives that impression, especially in aroma. What it lacks is complexity or multiple layers, so what you get on the first sip is what you get on the last sip.
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10/26/2013 - soyhead Likes this wine:
thanks to Duane for cracking this. Has the hallmark grappa nose that i find from harlan. in the mouth a big tannic wine yet completely dry. beautiful fruit and in perfect balance. tight and laser focused, nothing sloppy going on here. should last for decades to come.
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9/14/2013 - sdr Likes this wine: 97 Points
Now I am starting to "get" Cal Cults, or at least Harlan. Only the best examples like this one, are even more interesting with age. This time, the color was consistent with age, showing lightening and a bit of orange at the rim. Massively fruity, black fruits, brown sugar, prune, dried currants. Hugely rich in the mouth. It has layers of flavor, definitely not a monolithic fruit bomb. It's not Bordeaux, it's very California, it's oaky and it is indubitably a great wine to all but the extremely oak adverse.
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9/9/2013 - Jeff Leve wrote: 98 Points
Wow! The first sip captures your attention with its display of truffle, smoke, licorice, boysenberry and blackberries. Intense, rich, , plush, full bodied and powerful, yet, refined and elegant, there is nothing out of place from start to finish.
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6/10/2013 - SteveHoch wrote: 96 Points
This was a fantastic bottle. Seamless . Intense dark fruit and spicebox on the nose. great mouthfeel beginning to end, smooth , silky , and big all at the same time. This showed better than the 95 Margaux side by side although after several hours, Margaux became very impressive.
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3/10/2013 - dtrall wrote: 95 Points
Big act to follow the lynch bages but this performed well. Big and complex yet far from overbearing. Long finish and paired with everything at the table!
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2/16/2013 - sdr Likes this wine: 92 Points
This is a crowd pleaser for sure. Tremendously fruity, black and blue berry galore. Extremely oaky, so it's velvety in texture and vanilla and a bit of chocolate in this milkshake. Holding very well. Ultimately simple, though, without complexity and finess in its full maturity.
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12/20/2012 - anonymoose12345 wrote: 87 Points
Lots of acidity. A bit thin. Expected more.
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11/22/2012 - Lord Rayas wrote: 96 Points
Lincoln's BBQ dinner (Wine Vault): rich aroma of roasted coffee, smoke, black and blue fruits, spice box. bravo
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4/7/2012 - sdr Likes this wine: 92 Points
Not as spectacular or flamboyant as the previous bottle, but mighty fine anyway with that dark dried fruit prune/raisin profile. Great balance, well integrated tannins; it won't get better with further aging.
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3/14/2012 - Wolfgang wrote: 96 Points
Drank at W A Frost-St Paul,MN
Plum & baking spices overpower the nose. Evolved over three hours from kirsch liquor & milk chocolate to Grand Marnier & rose petals. Well balanced with a few more years left to cellar.
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1/14/2012 - ŞarapTutkunları wrote: 96 Points
Opak,çok koyu bordo renkli bu şarabın ön burnunda fıçı,tereyağ,erik ve birazda kiraz gibi güçlü ve olgun siyah meyve ile birlikte topraksılık var.Arkadan böğürtlen,hafif kasis ve karabiber gibi baharat çıkıyor.İzledikçe nane tonları gelişiyor ve kasis biraz daha kuvvetleniyor.Damakta yumuşak.Tanen yapısı,bir Avustralya Shiraz'ındaki gibi ,nerdeyse tatlımsı izlenim verirken,aynı zamanda oldukça kuvvetli.Çiğnenebilir yoğunlukta.Tanen kuvvetini ve asidi hissederken,bunları geçen 16 seneye rağmen hala güçle kaplayan meyveyi farketmemek imkansız. Tüm unsurları bir harmoni içinde.Siyah meyveden zengin oldukça uzun bitiminde,meyve ve asidin belirginliği, yüksek alkolu dengelerken ,aynı zamanda yaklaşık 10 yıl daha içim zamanı olduğunu gösteriyor
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1/14/2012 - Ilker Ozdemir wrote: 96 Points
Opak,çok koyu bordo renkli bu şarabın ön burnunda fıçı,tereyağ,erik ve birazda kiraz gibi güçlü ve olgun siyah meyve ile birlikte topraksılık var.Arkadan böğürtlen,hafif kasis ve karabiber gibi baharat çıkıyor.İzledikçe nane tonları gelişiyor ve kasis biraz daha kuvvetleniyor.Damakta yumuşak.Tanen yapısı,bir Avustralya Shiraz'ındaki gibi ,nerdeyse tatlımsı izlenim verirken,aynı zamanda oldukça kuvvetli.Çiğnenebilir yoğunlukta.Tanen kuvvetini ve asidi hissederken,bunları geçen 16 seneye rağmen hala güçle kaplayan meyveyi farketmemek imkansız. Tüm unsurları bir harmoni içinde.Siyah meyveden zengin oldukça uzun bitiminde,meyve ve asidin belirginliği, yüksek alkolu dengelerken ,aynı zamanda yaklaşık 10 yıl daha içim zamanı olduğunu gösteriyor
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10/29/2011 - sdr Likes this wine: 97 Points
Not having tasted a Harlan for many years, I did not know what to expect and whether the hype was justified. It is. Fantastic depth of flavor, oily viscosity and roundness yet not too oaky or tannic. Intense flavors on the brown end of the spectrum, such as brown sugar (not sweet), dark plum, raison, and, especially, prune. There's a distinct resemblance to the 1989 Tertre Roteboeuf, but as marvelous as that exotic St. Emilion is, I give this California wine the edge. Wow.
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8/7/2011 - Kemo Sabe wrote: 95 Points
Fantastic juice. Dark color - still looks like this has a ways to go. Decanted for about an hour before first sip. Nose of maple, red fruit and sweet candy. A smooth wine in the mouth. Refined and elegant. Nothing to complain about here. Wish I had more but this was my last '95. On to the 02s.
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6/28/2011 - phenricsson wrote: 100 Points
WOTY? Decanted two hours and drunk over 3 hours. Just improved the whole time. Very Bordeaux like but with better fruit and bigger. One of the best aftertastes ever, starts out with good sweet black currant and some mint, and then gets into tar, burning embers and ash, then broadens into cedar, tobacco and some more fruit. The structure of the wine is flawless, everything is there in perfect harmony including the texture.
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6/1/2011 - dream wrote: 95 Points
Very dark color. Beautiful nose of cassis and blackberries with a hint of eucalyptus. This just looks, smells and tastes of classy juice. Rich cassis fruit with notes of blackberries and chocolate with an ultra-fine texture. Finishes long and complex with firm tannins. Beautifully balanced and not overripe and just oozes refined power. Drinking quite young with many years to go and more complexity to come.
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5/31/2011 - colimack77 wrote: 99 Points
This was the first bottle of Harlan Estate that my wife and I have ever opened. We took it to a restaurant to celebrate our 2nd wedding anniversary. The wine was EVERYTHING it was supposed to be and with a wonderful filet mignon was just spectacular. Full rich, complex, velvety textures, long smooth finish, with great black fruit flavors.....a wine we will long remember!
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5/7/2011 - PatrikO wrote: 95 Points
Blockbuster of a wine that still fels incredibly young at age 16... Felt it very similar to the 96. Had more of everything next to the Latour from the same year, both showed beautifully, but with the Harlan you get more fruit, concentration, complexity and length.
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3/31/2011 - Mr. Muga wrote: 99 Points
Q1 Epic Wine Dinner at Palena with the Wine Guys.
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2/24/2011 - Jeff Leve wrote: 97 Points
When this was poured, I was told it was the 98 I was blown away by how good the wine was. I was convinced this was the California cabernet of the vintage. When I discovered it was the 95, I did not care, this was compelling. Filled with black cherry jam, licorice, smoke, herbs and truffle scents, this rich, dense wine was a treat for the senses. The wine ends with silky blackberry and chocolate flavors.
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12/1/2010 - gutt22 wrote:
This was a huge surprise. Not that I didn't think it would be good. It was just so damn good. Glorious nose of ripe black fruit, a touch of oak, spice, and tobacco. In the mouth, one of the most texturally pleasing wines I've ever had. Like drinking something soft and beautiful. Juicy doesn't do justice as a descriptor to the fruit. It is framed perfectly in a sea of complexity, with spice, tobacco, earth, and loam notes. Everything is in uncanny balance, with great concentration. Profound. A
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10/13/2010 - MatthewF wrote:
Tasting at Harlan Estate. Bottle was opened about one hour prior. Very Bordeaux like. Fantastic aromatics of red currant and cassis with tobacco leaf, cedar, and vanilla. A touch of smoke. Sweet dark red fruits on the palate with nice grip and acidity on the finish. A good bit of structure still left. Very nice.
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7/31/2010 - phenricsson wrote: 94 Points
Good wine but one of the weaker Harlans we've had. Have rated this wine between 97 and 99 before. There was nothing wrong with this bottle, just not the sublime experience we've normally had.
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9/25/2009 - jlgnml wrote: 97 Points
I brought this bottle to Ruth Chris to share with my 77 year old father. This wine really opened up in the glass over the evening and was outstanding in the glass, great color, awesome depth of aroma of berries, smoke, tar and just plain great. Awesome.
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2/10/2008 - doc mo wrote: 94 Points
nice nose after opening up in decanter for an hour+, dried fruits- cherry, blackberry, long finish evolved nicely over 2-3 hours, not the shear power of the 97, rating 94
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10/14/2006 - Dave Dalluge wrote: 97 Points
Harlan Estates Vertical w/ Brad England and Greg Gregory (WA Frost, St Paul, MN): This is a beauty. Dark purple/red -- almost black -- in color. The nose gives black fruit with a very strong minerality and a hint of dried herbs. The ripe black fruit proves to be extremely concentrated on the palate, but there is plenty of structure to support it. Perfectly balanced, yet intense. The ripe fruit borders just on the right side of overripe. I would call this a dead heat with the 1994 -- this is slightly more structured and the 1994 is slightly more velvety. A beautiful wine.
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10/14/2006 - Siggy wrote: 97 Points
Harlan Vertical Tasting 1990-2002 (WA Frost, St. Paul): Jammy, plummy purple fruits. Big, extracted, and thick. Huge structure. Showed less minerality than the 1994 or 1991. Mouth-coating and velvety, with ripe tannins. Clearly made in a riper style, with sweeter fruit. Awesome stuff.
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7/6/2006 - phenricsson wrote: 99 Points
Sublime. Great structure and still great fruit. Very long aftertaste.
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12/10/2005 - Eric wrote: 100 Points
Seattle Tasting Group 'End of Year Dinner' #3 (Sammamish, WA): OMFG!!!! Dense, slightly pruney, powerful, brooding, dense again (hey, it was in my notes twice), spice-cake, this is utterly massive! In the mouth this is a wall of black fruit, lightly floral and then a note from my book: "Who put the Pride Reserve in my glass???" Sheesh, this hit just glorious heights, and the utter opulence of the wine outshone a pair of stunning Bordeaux. Perfect. Showstopping. Wine of the night.
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11/20/2005 - Ben Andersen wrote:
BLIND 1995 Bordeaux etc...: Served BLIND. Lush. Dense. Dark cherry fruit. Cola. Some sweet oak. Very nice. CA Cab ringer?? This was the second time I have had the '95 Harlan, and I feel it is one of the best CA wines I have had.
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8/6/2005 - 128 wrote:
Drinks at Larry & Elaine C's with Gordon & Maggie. A bottle given personally by Bill Harlan to Larry & Elaine.
Big & fruity on the nose. Full bodied with good balance on the palate. Good wine. Not much to dislike but it did not enthrall me.
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3/1/2005 - winefool wrote: 93 Points
Pale aroma of briar and blackcurrant. Quite tannic. Rich fruit, but still very tight. This was the group WOTF and probably group WOTN. 3/05
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1/28/2005 - G SQUARED wrote: 98 Points
Dinner with Bill Shea at Morton's in Orlando. The aroma exuding from the decanter as this wine was being poured only gave a hint of things to come. This is a prolific wine. Perfectly balanced, fully integrated, and loads of fruit gushing out of it's smooth, silky finish. As the night wore on it only got better. Drink now through 2015.
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9/25/1999 - mdefreitas wrote: 93 Points
Great Cult Tasting: Showing much better than the 1994 tonight. Syrupy, sweet fruit. Nice extraction. Excellent wine... but did not seem very structred... I think lack of decanting and palate fatigue is preventing a good evaluation.
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