2014 Harlan Estate Proprietary Red
Buying options
Tasting notes
Magnum. 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, remainder: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot. Far more subdued on the nose and palate than the 2015 and 2016, the 2014 feels as though it has stepped into an introspective phase and would be best left to meditate for several more years before opening. That said, there is plenty to appreciate about this wine and it will no doubt have plenty to offer when it has re-emerged after some more time in the cellar. After further discussion with the Harlan team, I established that the Estate wine tends to go into a more inward phase around the seven-year mark so the 2014 is consistent with that. If you do want to coax it out now, give it plenty of air upon opening and enjoy it slowly over the course of a meal. Firm black fruits set the stage for a shake of spiced cocoa powder, fresh mountain herbs and graphite notes. There is good harmony here. Supple tannin and good acidity. (ECB)
Critic scores
Average Score
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Coolish year, mid drought. Deep crimson, quite autumnal and savoury and very dense. Black fruits and mulberry. Dry finish. Cool impression. (JR)
The pure fruit is incredible with a dark-fruit and blackberry character. Some sous bois but also shows clarity and finesse. Full body and super fine tannins. Tight and so pretty. A classy and fine Harlan.
Bright crimson. Quite a muted, black olive, quite complex nose. Firm charge of chalky tannins. This is sweet without being sickly. The alcohol appears only on the very end. It must be so hard to move with the times while satisfying long-term customers. Long and interesting. Though a little inky and not ready. A fresh shower of acidity plus quite a lot of tannin on the end that also has some luscious fruit. It’s clearly a wine into which a lot of work goes but it’s difficult to justify the price (more than Mouton!). (JR)
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.