96 points,

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, December 2007

The 2005 Harlan Estate, which is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with a few of the other Bordeaux varietals blended in, is a brilliant wine, and reminds me of a hypothetical blend of a top Pauillac and a wine such La Mission Haut-Brion from Pessac Leognan. Dense purple in color, with a nose of graphite, smoky embers, creme de cassis, and hints of truffle and underbrush, the wine shows fabulous fruit intensity, full body, sweet, silky tannins, good, vibrant acidity, and a stunning, seamless, long finish that clocks in at about 45-50 seconds. So what's new? Harlan Estate continues to produce only a meager 1,500 or so cases from over 40 acres of beautifully manicured hillside vineyards overlooking the Oakville corridor (to be precise, the western slopes looking down on Martha's Vineyard and parts of the To-Kalon Vineyard). Proprietor Bill Harlan and his winemaking team of Bob Levy and global oenologist Michel Rolland push the envelope in all ways, but the results continue to be magnificent as well as increasingly expensive and rare. The second wine, which is usually around 1,000+ cases, is The Maiden, which is also a super wine in its own right.

97 points,

Stephen Tanzer's IWC, June 2008

Full bright ruby. A black hole of a nose: cassis, black raspberry, mocha and licorice, with a suggestion of almost roasted fruits. Then utterly palate-saturating, with a distinctly layered texture to the dark fruit and mineral flavors. Impeccably balanced, fresh wine with a spectacular slow-building finish that coats the palate with a flavor of black raspberry. A knockout.

94 points,

Wine Spectator, October 2008

Dense and earthy, with savory herb, dried currant, spice, mint and cedary oak flavors, all tightly wound, compact and concentrated, yet with a seam of elegance and finesse. Very intense and powerful. To be released spring 2009. Best from 2011 through 2018. 1,850 cases made. –JL

About Winery

For almost two decades, Harlan Estate has been dedicated to creating a California "First Growth" wine estate. Set in the Western hills of Oakville, the estate stretches 240 acres with only about 15% of the estate planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot.  The Harlan label is characterized by limited production, a competitive waiting list, and widespread critical acclaim, including a recent 100 point rating by wine critic Robert Parker. It has quickly become one of the most sought after labels in California and around the world. Harlan's wines rank among the top California Cabernets and are defined by their graceful, elegant, and opulent style.

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