The flagship offering, the 2008 Harlan Estate is nearly as promising as their perfect 2007. This vintage has fleshed out considerably since I tasted most 2008s last year (although I did not have an opportunity to taste this wine). Its dense purple color is accompanied by hints of burning embers, charcoal, sweet creme de cassis, chocolate and licorice. Full-bodied and voluptuously textured, by Harlan Estate’s standards, it is forward and approachable. Still not bottled, it appears to have exceptional potential, and should be relatively approachable in its youth, yet be capable of lasting 25+ years.
Run by Bill Harlan, Harlan Estate’s debut vintage was 1990. The second wine culled out from this extraordinary estate’s barrels is called The Maiden, with a production generally under 2,000 cases,. Yet it often represents 50% of the estate’s production given the Draconian selection process employed at Harlan. (Robert Parker, The Wine Adovate, 23rd Dec 2010, 95-98 Pts)
