2011 Harlan Estate Proprietary Red
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Tasting notes
Weaver described this vintage as underestimated at first. Very cool year, like 2010. But there was rain at flowering so yields were low and there was damp fog towards harvest which caused rot. But the airflow on the slope helped them continue to leave grapes on the vine to fully ripen. Apparently they had an intern from Burgundy who looked at the grapes and said they looked great. Winemaker Cory Empting on the other hand thought they looked terrible. He went on to explain, 'But when it went dry, it was lovely – with forest and resinous flavours – and we knew it was just a matter of time before the tannins softened. Today I wish we’d held the grapes on the vine a little bit longer. 2011 taught me a lot. I was a pretty OCD winemaker like Bob Levy before. I was so sure that every little thing in the winery made a difference. But this taught me humility.’ Yields were just 16–20 hl/ha. Very aromatic and pure. Strong terroir flavour on the palate – some balsamic. Quite a bit of tannin. Really rather European! (JR)
Critic scores
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Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 2011 Harlan Estate is a real stunner. Still fresh and vibrant, the 2011 is a magically beautiful wine. It is, naturally, more small-scaled. Crushed flowers, sweet red dry fruit, tobacco, cedar and mint notes are super classy. The 2011 has enough freshness to drink well for another 10-15 years. It's fabulous achievement.
Magnum. 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, remainder: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot. Classically cool vintage with steely blue and purple fruits lifted by floral aromatics and carried across the palate by lengthy acidity. The acidity is slightly more apparent than in the younger vintages but it works well for the wine. Beautifully fine-grained, elegant tannin, well tempered by age. There is definitely more of a floral element here than in other vintages and it brings a lovely lifted component to the wine, but at the same time the wine is savoury and palate-stimulating. The combination of floral notes with savoury depth brings a lot of layers to an otherwise compact wine. It is also interesting to taste the 2011 alongside the 2012. While the 2012 feels pretty and lifted, the 2011 is a bit more thoughtful and reflective; both are nicely delivered wines but in very different moods. This is a wine to drink slowly as there is a lot to offer here but with a quieter voice. Quite distinctive in the line-up and lovely. I am a fan of this wine but also recognise it has a lighter feel and quieter mood, and more apparent acidity than others in this flight. (ECB)
The 2011 Harlan Estate is super-expressive and textured in the glass. Dark red cherry, plum, spice and new leather open up as the wine sits in the glass. Decidedly mid-weight and gracious, the 2011 impresses for its exceptional balance and sense of proportion. Harlan Estate is capable of myriad of expressions. In 2011, the more feminine side of the property comes through. Although not a blockbuster, the 2011 is incredibly beautiful, especially considering how challenging the year was.
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.