Reviews & Scores
The 2009 Harlan Estate is texturally more accessible than the 2010, and its sweet attack is beguilingly immediate. In its bouquet, notions of ripe red fruits compete with darker blackberry and cassis, while top notes of dried herbs and warm earth contribute complexity, as well as a tell-tale 'sauvage' quality. This is a supple wine that is easier to appreciate in its youth than the 2010, although there is no shortage of tannin behind all that fruit.
DC93November 2017
Offering a Pomerol-like silkiness, this is very rich and layered, with ripe dark berry, roasted plum and cassis flavors. Yet what's striking is the texture, which has the density of the proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove. *Collectibles*
WS96October 2012
Saturated ruby to the rim. Outstanding floral lift to the aromas of cassis, licorice, menthol and pungent minerality. Very pure, primary and high-pitched, but already boasts an extraordinarily fine-grained texture, reflecting both the vintage and the site. Most impressive today on the palate-saturating finish, which features wonderfully silky tannins and great mounting persistence.
ST97May 2012
Bright, saturated ruby. Alluring aromas of blueberry, cassis, licorice, minerals, mocha and nutty oak. At once thick and lively on entry, then densely packed and compellingly deep in in the middle palate, with its dark fruit, smoke and graphite flavors conveying a subtle savory quality that nicely buffers the wine's sweetness and alcohol.
VM97
Cloves, dark plums, cherries, smoke and graphite add richness and resonance to this powerful, incisive wine. Juicy and exuberant, the 2009 has always had a certain raciness that is impossible to resist. Layers of fruit continue to build to the enveloping, sensual finish. Readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off this hugely delicious wine. - WA
WA97