Harlan Estate 2013

The Wine Advocate: "As I predicted last year, the 2013 Harlan Estate is one of their all-time greats, although they have had many of them, starting with the 1991, followed by 1994, 1995, 1997 (although controversial in some circles), 2001, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2010 and 2012. This great first-growth property, with aspirations to produce the finest Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine made in the New World, has given us a wine that has it all in 2013. Dense purple to the rim, with notes of espresso, white chocolate, mocha, blackberry, cassis, and cedar wood, the wine is full-bodied, opulent, but also structured, pure and incredibly long (well past a minute aftertaste). It is probably closest in personality and overall character to the compelling 2001, which is still a youthful wine at age 15. Drink it over the next 50+ years."

James Suckling: "This is really sensational with such precision and focus. Glorious aromas of tar, graphite, blackcurrants, and blackberries. Full-bodied, very tight, and reserved. Phenomenal tannic structure that is supple and wonderful. This new classicism makes me speechless. It's pure pleasure. You can drink it now, but it's built for aging."

The Wine Cellar Insider: "Kicking off with a hint of oak, smoke, which quickly morphs to its lush, sensuous, powerful, full bodied approach. The wine builds and expands in your mouth and keeps going. When you return to the wine, you find an intriguing citrus, orange blossom note hidden in the background that adds to the continually expanding levels of complexity. This must remain with you for more than 60 seconds. But this is no shy wine. It is powerful, concentrated, complex and needs time to really come together."

Wine Spectator: "A muscular, chunky, chewy, extracted style, with remarkable fruit purity, featuring deep, penetrating blackberry, wild berry, blueberry and currant flavors. Gains a crushed rock minerality, but the fruit never lets up. Ends with firm tannins. Best from 2020 through 2034. 1,875 cases made. — JL"