Harlan Estate 2017

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Harlan Estate needs a little coaxing to reveal captivating iron ore, red currant jelly, cloves and crushed rocks scents with a core of warm cassis, Black Forest cake and boysenberries plus a waft of pencil lead. Medium to full-bodied, it has a firm, grainy texture with a lively backbone and loads of earthy layers, long and mineral laced. This should be one of the longer-lived wines coming out of the 2017 vintage."

JAMES SUCKLING: JAMES SUCKLING; "Love the sage and mint undertones with currants and berries. Some lead pencil. Iodine. Medium to full body and very fine tannins. Lovely freshness. It’s a refined and gorgeous Harlan. Savory. Beautiful finish. Drinkable now, but better in 2022."

DECANTER: „One of the more logistically challenging harvests in recent history, the Harlan team has put together a pure, precise and opulent showing of their benchmark wine. The nose straddles dense aromas of black fruits and new French oak with a spry, energetic, floral quality. The palate overflows with concentrated black fruits, fresh herbs and dried flowers, leading to a tense, upright and firm finish. Harlan's perennial polish and seamlessness are on display throughout."

JEB DUNNUCK: „The Grand Vin is the 2017 Harlan Estate, and this beauty just about jumps from the glass with its pure cassis and blackcurrant fruits as well as notes of tobacco, graphite, crushed stone, and spice. With a full-bodied, expansive mouthfeel, building, velvety tannins, and a layered, seamless style that offers way more pleasure than just about every other wine in the vintage, bottles can be enjoyed any time over the coming 20-25 years."

WINE SPECTATOR: „This is fully loaded, with waves of dense yet succulent blackberry, black currant and fig preserves that move along steadily, pulling roasted apple wood, dark bay leaf, espresso cream and humus notes along. A bolt of cast iron emerges through the finish, remaining well-encased in the fruit and adding prodigious length and stability. A fairly tremendous wine, especially considering the vintage. A Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend. Best from 2022 through 2040. 2,040 cases made."

JANCIS ROBINSON: „Crazy price! And UK trade buyers have to agree to place the wine in hotels and restaurants apparently. Deep glowing crimson. Much more obviously ripe nose than the Shafer Hillside Select just tasted. Intensity is the name of the game – plus a concentration of ripe tannins that recalls a top left-bank bordeaux. It’s clear what the ambitions are here! A wine that seems less scared of tannin than most Napa Cabs."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: „Bright red fruits, a touch of smoke, tobacco, and herbs start the savory-oriented wine off. Medium-bodied, bright, fresh, and juicy, the dusty finish and earthy fruits are already showing well. This is a vintage that is ready to go."