Harlan Estate
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, USA
Harlan Estate is secluded high up in the hills of Oakville. Protected by the tall pine forest to west and overlooking the valley to the east. Really seems to tower above all: To Kalon, Beckstoffer, Opus, Martha’s Vineyard, they are all visible from the grounds at the estate. The air is cooler up here, the soil has great drainage, the vines are old and are dry farmed (truly dry farmed). They are probably one of a handful of vineyards in Napa that can get away with doing it effectively due the natural factors surrounding the vineyad: higher altitude means cooler temperatures in summer, the mountains to the west provide early shade during rippening season (higher diurnal range), yet Napa has a warm continental climate and the berries still get plenty of sunshine. About 30 acres of planted vines with annual production of 2,500 cases, give or take (that is a very small production). Harlan crafts one thing: a Bordeaux style red blend. Aged in mostly French oak for two years and another 18 months in bottle before release. The wine displays true vintage variation from a place that’s never had a “bad vintage.” Tasted 2014, 2015, 2019, and 2023 (from barrel). The wine is opulent yet elegant, refined, it has levels of complexity and layer over layer of flavor. It has balance, intensity, length and a long finish. It’s a special occasion wine or the wine you open to make an occasion special. It’s the kind of wine you’ll remember for it captures a sense of time and place in liquid memory.
Harlan Estate is secluded high up in the hills of Oakville. Protected by the tall pine forest to west and overlooking the valley to the east. Really seems to tower above all: To Kalon, Beckstoffer, Opus, Martha’s Vineyard, they are all visible from the grounds at the estate. The air is cooler up here, the soil has great drainage, the vines are old and are dry farmed (truly dry farmed). They are probably one of a handful of vineyards in Napa that can get away with doing it effectively due the natural factors surrounding the vineyad: higher altitude means cooler temperatures in summer, the mountains to the west provide early shade during rippening season (higher diurnal range), yet Napa has a warm continental climate and the berries still get plenty of sunshine. About 30 acres of planted vines with annual production of 2,500 cases, give or take (that is a very small production). Harlan crafts one thing: a Bordeaux style red blend. Aged in mostly French oak for two years and another 18 months in bottle before release. The wine displays true vintage variation from a place that’s never had a “bad vintage.” Tasted 2014, 2015, 2019, and 2023 (from barrel). The wine is opulent yet elegant, refined, it has levels of complexity and layer over layer of flavor. It has balance, intensity, length and a long finish. It’s a special occasion wine or the wine you open to make an occasion special. It’s the kind of wine you’ll remember for it captures a sense of time and place in liquid memory.
Sep 27th, 2025
(Testat blint). Ville inte att det här skulle vara bra. Men ack! Vinernas Cristiano Ronaldo. Extremt självsäkert och stöddig. Men sen går det och gör ett hattrick och avgör Champions Leauge-finalen. Man kan inte låta bli att bli golvad. En nästan omänsklig perfektion. Allt sitter. Alla klassiska Napa-smaker, en otrolig volym och kraft kombinerad med silkeslen dryckesupplevelse. Man vill bara dricka mer, glad att jag fick två glas. Kommer kanske aldrig få testa igen, men minnet kommer leva kvar.
(Testat blint). Ville inte att det här skulle vara bra. Men ack! Vinernas Cristiano Ronaldo. Extremt självsäkert och stöddig. Men sen går det och gör ett hattrick och avgör Champions Leauge-finalen. Man kan inte låta bli att bli golvad. En nästan omänsklig perfektion. Allt sitter. Alla klassiska Napa-smaker, en otrolig volym och kraft kombinerad med silkeslen dryckesupplevelse. Man vill bara dricka mer, glad att jag fick två glas. Kommer kanske aldrig få testa igen, men minnet kommer leva kvar.
Dec 14th, 2019