Harlan Estate 2016

THE WINE ADVOCATE: „The deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Harlan Estate comes charging out of the glass, brandishing bold, opulent blackberry pie, warm cassis and blueberry preserves notes with hints of cigar box, Indian spices, crushed rocks and forest floor plus fragrant accents of lavender and black tea. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is built like a brick house, with a solid line of super ripe, grainy tannins and oodles of freshness supporting the layer upon layer of savory and earth-inspired notions, finishing on a lingering mineral note. Impressively structured, incredibly nuanced and possessing all this latent tension, this brazen beauty is set to live for a good 60 years and possibly more!"

JAMES SUCKLING: „This is so tight and vibrant with a huge amount of detail and precision, coupled with density and brightness, superb length and class. The tannins are horizontal and so polished. The most refined, harmonious and focused Harlan ever? Subtle strength in this wine. You can drink it now or age it for years ahead."

JEB DUNNUCK: „The quality of the 2016 Proprietary Red Wine shouldn’t surprise anyone. This estate rarely misses a beat, and in a great vintage like 2016, they’ve made a perfect wine. Sporting a deep purple hue as well as extraordinary notes of crème de cassis, blackcurrants, herbes de Provence, tobacco, graphite, and a who knows what else, this beauty hits the palate with a deep, powerful, full-bodied style that has enough structure to warrant a decade of cellaring. The purity is off the charts, it builds incrementally on the palate, and has a finish that won’t quit. Reminding me a little of the 2013, yet with a touch more elegance, do your best to hide bottles for at least 5-7 years and it’s going to keep for 30-40 years or more."

DECANTER: „Dense and sweetly fruited on the nose, laced with beautiful minerality and herbal notes. Huckleberry, blackberry and charred earth flavours are opulent yet balanced, clearly showing the fruit ripeness and heft typical of Oakville. After aeration, oaky notes of espresso and chocolate notes appear. Elegantly precise and powdery on the flashy, voluptuous finish."

JANCIS ROBINSON: „Very rich and voluptuous, polished and round – and just the right side of sweet and alcoholic. Pure luxury in a bottle!"

WINE SPECTATOR: "A warm, seductive and creamy red, with dark fig and blackberry puree flavors, liberally laced with cocoa, dark tobacco and licorice root notes. Very polished in feel overall, but a lovely echo of dark earth augments the fruit through the finish. A bit exotic, but also undeniable. Best from 2022 through 2042. 2,350 cases made.“

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: „Barbecue smoke, spice and roasted plums show up easily. On the palate, the wine is soft, fruity and sweet, with ample licorice, espresso, savory black cherries and herbs to keep any taster interested."