2015 Harlan Estate Proprietary Red

Magnum. 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, remainder: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot. The 2015 vintage is beautiful and delicious with a similar flavour profile to the 2016 but painted with far broader brushstrokes. There is a bit more exuberance to the aromatics, a bit more flesh to the palate. The wine overall feels warmer in comparison, with riper fruits and fuller flavours. But it also feels entirely expressive of vintage and nicely done. The structural balance carries the wine, offering a frame to the generous flavours. Oak is well integrated while a little more apparent than in the 2016. The only disadvantage of the 2015 is that it was tasted after a near-perfect vintage like 2016. The 2015 is a beautiful wine. (ECB)

Warmish year, mid drought. Mid shaded crimson. Lovely fresh nose. Really round and sumptuous. There’s a bit of sweet dark chocolate on the end but the zest and energy on the nose goes a long way towards mitigating that. Some freshness on the end too. Still some way to go but very promising. Fair whack of ripe tannin. (JR)

Set in the western hills of Oakville, Harlan was founded in 1984 by H William Harlan and strives to be a ‘Californian first growth’. Deep ruby colour. Spicy and powerful on the nose, chock-full of ripe black fruits, cinnamon and vanilla. The palate is super-glossy, with polished tannins and fleshy cassis fruit at the core. The oak is toasty and sweet, but not over the top. Very refined and with great intensity, this is still a little firm on the long finish and will only improve with time. (TP)