2003 The Maiden
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Tasting notes
Readers looking for more immediate gratification should seek out the seductive, sexy 2003 The Maiden. It offers lots of cedarwood, white chocolate, black currant and damp forest notes in a medium to full-bodied, round, generous style with all the oak absorbed. The acidity provides good vibrancy, but no tartness, and the tannins are not astringent. This spicy, open-knit, fleshy 2003 is showing extremely well at present. Enjoy it over the next decade. One of the most stunningly beautiful vineyards in all of Napa Valley, Harlan Estate is located in the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains overlooking the Oakville Corridor. Harlan has been making world-class, first growth quality wines since the debut vintages of 1990 and 1991. Virtually nothing has been changed by winemaker Bob Levy, owner Bill Harlan and globe-trotting consultant Michel Rolland. The wine is largely all Cabernet Sauvignon and the production from the 40-acre vineyard is usually under 2,000 cases. The vineyard has a surprising composition of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Most blends lean heavily on the Cabernet Sauvignon with slightly more Cabernet Franc being utilized over recent vintages. Following the great 2001 and 2002 vintages, 2003 is the type of vintage that has a tendency to be forgotten, but the two 2003s prove that the site’s great pedigree is never easy to dismiss. Tel. (707) 944-1441
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Bright, deep ruby-red. Aromas of black cherry, redcurrant, menthol and red licorice. Sweet, dense and fine-grained, with lovely floral lift. Nicely ripe for the year. Finishes with firm, lush, building tannins. This needs a couple more years in the bottle. (The 2004 was being blended on the day of my tasting.)
Full medium ruby. Dusty aromas of blueberry, menthol and tobacco. Fat, lush and broad on entry, then rather youthfully unevolved in the middle palate, without quite the liqueur-like sweetness of the 2002. Notes of Havana tobacco and licorice. Here the tannins are a bit less refined than those of the 2002.
About the producer
Harlan Estate is one of the Napa Valley’s most prestigious wine estates. It is one of a handful of cult Cabernet producers, whose wines are some of the most expensive and collectable in the region.