A stupendous wine that epitomizes the Harlan style of grace and power. Shows how the most elaborate vineyard and winery practices can contribute to a near-perfect wine, even in a less heralded vintage. The flavors cascade in endless tiers, black currant, cherry, mocha, Indian pudding, oak and spice, all coming together in a minute-long finish. Magnificent.

The 2000 Harlan Estate, a wine uncannily reminiscent of a 1990 Médoc, is at what seems to be a peak - or a plateau - of maturity. A projected bouquet includes notes of ripe plums, black cherry, wood smoke and cigar box. On the palate the tannins have begun to melt, making for a wine of immense drinkability and seductiveness. A Harlan Estate with a Bordelais sensibility.

Tight concentrated and compact showing dried currant berry and mineral character with tannins that frame the flavors. Ends with a black cherry and blackberry fruitiness. This was a cool drawn-out year.--Non-blind Harlan retrospective (2010). Drink now through 2016. 1800 cases made. -JL

I have never been totally convinced by the 2000 Harlan Estate but now that it's in bottle it is a very fine offering. The problem is that it must be compared with the other Harlan Estate wines made to date. A Graves-like perfume of roasted coffee scorched earth black currants cedar and a hint of menthol emerge from this dense dark ruby/purple-colored 2000. Lighter than normal but medium to full-bodied and elegant with soft tannin as well as a silky precocious personality and texture it can be drunk now and over the next 12 years.