Benchmark Wines by

Harlan Estate

The Winery

Harlan Estate

"Harlan Estate might be the single most profound red wine made not just in California, but in the world."
- Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate

"Winemakers believe that the land speaks to them of possibilities. A winemaker's goal is to express those possibilities, to capture the best of what the land has to offer."
- Bob Levy, Director of Winegrowing

The true beginning of Harlan Estate dates to 1984 in the western hills of Oakville, California, the heart of Napa Valley. The Harlan family had a plan to create a California equivalent of a Bordeaux first growth, producing a wine that would command global praise. Harlan is known for their estate wine, and their second label, The Maiden. In 1997, Harlan founded BOND in collaboration with winemaker Bob Levy to again produce more prestigious wines from Napa Valley. It's hard to say exactly why the wines are as good as they are, except to point to obvious factors, such as location, terroir and the talents of Harlan's longtime team, but they have undoubtedly earned their supreme cult status.

www.harlanestate.com

2003
Out of Stock
750ml
WE96
WA93
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Tasting Notes

WE96
This second label of Harlan Estate comes from the estate vineyard, and shares much in common with the main wine, which is a bit more focused and concentrated. The similarities include the briary, wild herb scents of sage and thyme that complex the ripe red cherry pie filling fruit, cocoa, cola and licorice. As with the main wine, the tannins here are gorgeous. This is a balanced, harmonious wine that combines power and elegance.
WA93
Readers looking for more immediate gratification should seek out the seductive, sexy 2003 The Maiden. It offers lots of cedarwood, white chocolate, black currant and damp forest notes in a medium to full-bodied, round, generous style with all the oak absorbed. The acidity provides good vibrancy, but no tartness, and the tannins are not astringent. This spicy, open-knit, fleshy 2003 is showing extremely well at present. Enjoy it over the next decade.

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This product is a part of The Cult Classic Cellar
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