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97 Robert Parker
The prodigious 2007 Harlan Estate reminds me of a hypothetical blend of the 2002 with a touch of the controversial 1997. Dense plum/purple-colored with sweet aromas of barbecue smoke, blueberries, blackberries, cassis, licorice, hot rocks and subtle oak, it is a splendidly opulent, pure wine with a skyscraper-like texture as well as stunningly deep fruit that expands gracefully across the palate. The finish lasts nearly a full minute. Because of its overwhelming richness and sweet tannins, this brilliant wine seems to be approachable now, but I suspect further nuances and complexity will emerge after 4-5 years in the bottle. This wine will still be going strong at age 25-30. Like the offerings from its sister estate, Bond, these Harlan Estate offerings are uncompromisingly brilliant examples of Napa viticulture and winemaking at its finest. Kudos to proprietor Bill Harlan. Run by Bill Harlan, Harlan Estate’s debut vintage was 1990. The second wine culled out from this extraordinary estate’s barrels is called The Maiden, with a production generally under 2,000 cases,. Yet it often represents 50% of the estate’s production given the Draconian selection process employed at Harlan.
94 Wine Spectator
The prodigious 2007 Harlan Estate reminds me of a hypothetical blend of the 2002 with a touch of the controversial 1997. Dense plum/purple-colored with sweet aromas of barbecue smoke, blueberries, blackberries, cassis, licorice, hot rocks and subtle oak, it is a splendidly opulent, pure wine with a skyscraper-like texture as well as stunningly deep fruit that expands gracefully across the palate. The finish lasts nearly a full minute. Because of its overwhelming richness and sweet tannins, this brilliant wine seems to be approachable now, but I suspect further nuances and complexity will emerge after 4-5 years in the bottle. This wine will still be going strong at age 25-30. Like the offerings from its sister estate, Bond, these Harlan Estate offerings are uncompromisingly brilliant examples of Napa viticulture and winemaking at its finest. Kudos to proprietor Bill Harlan. Run by Bill Harlan, Harlan Estate’s debut vintage was 1990. The second wine culled out from this extraordinary estate’s barrels is called The Maiden, with a production generally under 2,000 cases,. Yet it often represents 50% of the estate’s production given the Draconian selection process employed at Harlan.
Producteur
Harlan Estate
S'inspirant d'un voyage dans les vignobles français de premier plan, notamment Bordeaux et Bourgogne, Bill Harlan s’est donné comme mission de créer son propre domaine « Premier cru » en Californie. Il a fondé son Harlan Estate en 1984 au cœur de la Napa Valley, le long des collines occidentales d'Oakville. Sur son exploitation de 100 hectares, 17 hectares sont plantés en vignes, voués essentiellement au cabernet sauvignon (70%), sans oublier les autres grands classiques bordelais, le merlot (20%), le cabernet franc (8%) et le petit verdot (2%). Le premier millésime commercial de sa cuvée phare Harlan Estate a été mis sur le marché en 1990, suivi, cinq ans plus tard, par son deuxième vin, Maiden. A l’heure actuelle, l’oenologue Bob Levy et l’œnologue conseil Michel Rolland façonnent des vins élégants qui offrent une expression unique du cabernet sauvignon californien, aux parfums éloquents et aux saveurs riches et profondes. D’une qualité inversement proportionnelle à ses dimensions, ce petit producteur artisanal élabore chaque année sans faille, des vins rouges de haut vol dans le style bordelais. Sa production confidentielle (environ 1 200 à 2000 caisses par an) conjuguée à son système de vente en primeur à la bordelaise, confèrent un côté mythique à ses créations qui jouent dans la cour des grands au niveau international.