Harlan Estate 2003

WEINWISSER: "Dichtes Purpur, undurchdringlich in der Mitte. Geniales, berauschendes Cassis- und Brombeerbouquet, Teakholz, Zedernduft und viel Black Currant, cremige, opulente Fülle in der Nase. Im Gaumen von Beginn weg absolut perfekt, Fleisch und Fett in Hülle und Fülle, dunkles Karamell, süss ausstrahlende Tannine, reifer Cabernet in einem gewaltigen Aromenspiel bis zum langen, gebündelten, Finale. Ein unvergesslicher Schluck, unglaubliche Perfektion."

WINEADVOCATE: "One of the most backward yet promising wines of the vintage is the 2003 Harlan Estate. Its dense opaque plum/purple color is accompanied by a sumptuous bouquet of graphite, camphor, creme de cassis, smoky barbecue wood and a hint of forest floor. Similar flavors hit the mouth with full-bodied splendor, a multidimensional mouthfeel and texture, and the sensational finish lasts more than 45 seconds. Some tannins are still present, and this wine seems much younger than expected at ten years of age, so give it 4-5 more years of bottle age and consume it over the following 20-25 years."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "Dichtes Purpur, undurchdringlich in der Mitte. Geniales, berauschendes Cassis- und Brombeerbouquet, Teakholz, Zedernduft und viel Black Currant, cremige, opulente Fülle in der Nase. Im Gaumen von Beginn weg absolut perfekt, Fleisch und Fett in Hülle und Fülle, dunkles Karamell, süss ausstrahlende Tannine, reifer Cabernet in einem gewaltigen Aromenspiel bis zum langen, gebündelten, Finale. Ein unvergesslicher Schluck, unglaubliche Perfektion."

WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "A very good, but perhaps not great bottle here. Loads of blackberry, cassis, licorice, smoke, black cherry, tobacco and earth, with good levels of concentration going on. This is almost a restrained vintage for Harlan that is ready to drink at 13 years of age. For tasters that find vintages like 2001 and 2002 to be too much, this is the right vintage to taste, if you have a bottle hanging around."

ANTONIO GALLONI: "Good deep ruby-red. Blackcurrant, minerals, graphite, mocha and leather on the nose. Sweet and tightly wound, with a violet topnote and terrific depth of flavor. This powerfully structured wine has plenty of meat on its bones. The tannins are huge but refined. This must be among the three or four longest wines of the vintage, with the violet quality persisting on the aftertaste. (I retasted the 2002 on this occasion, and this elixir of a wine continues to be one of the greatest California cabernets of my experience, with a knockout nose of black raspberry, minerals, tobacco and crushed stone; a superconcentrated essence of cabernet on the palate; and an almost confectionery finish of incredible persistence."

DUNNUCK: "The 2003 Harlan Estate is a huge, almost over the top beauty that doesn’t hold anything back in its deep plum and currant fruits, cedar, toasty oak and licorice aromas and flavors. With full-bodied richness, a sweet, massive texture and a big finish, it stays nicely balanced and enjoyable but has a dry, slightly rustic edge to its tannin that will need to be watched going forward."

ROBINSON: "The 2003 stands out as the most evolved of the wines so far. Aromatics move to a bit more of a dusty presence with tobacco leaf and pipe tobacco, and floral elements emerging with air. A pleasant wine if not quite as complex or as elegant as most of the other vintages. Delicious through the lengthy finish."