2002 Harlan Estate The Maiden
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Tasting notes
Sweet, deep black currant fruit, espresso, licorice, graphite, and earth aromas emerge from the dense, ruby/purple-colored 2002 The Maiden, which cascades over the palate without a hard edge. Like its bigger sibling, it’s impossible to resist at present, but promises to age well for 15 years. Bill Harlan, winemaker Bob Levy and consulting oenologist Michel Rolland have achieved spectacular results in an amazingly short time at this estate in the western hills overlooking the Oakville corridor. The introduction of a second wine, The Maiden, has allowed this team to ratchet up the level of the grand cru. From over 40 acres of vineyard, only 1,500-1,600 cases of Harlan Estate and 800 cases of The Maiden are produced. In order to keep quality at such an extraordinary level, I suspect production will never go much higher. (Release date 4/06) Tel. (707) 944-1441; Fax (707) 944-1444
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Good full ruby-red. Superripe aromas of sweet, sappy berries; not roasted. Lush, sweet and sappy, with compelling freshness and depth of sappy fruit. This has terrific early appeal as well as a firm structure to support further development in bottle. Finishes with big, chewy, tongue-dusting tannins and superb lingering sweetness of dark berry fruit. The best Maiden vintage yet. (ST)
Flamboyant aromas of sappy black raspberry, chocolate and tobacco. Almost exotically ripe, dense and large-scaled, with a chewy, fleshy texture and compelling, mouthfilling sweetness of fruit. For all its richness, this also offers lovely inner-mouth energy. Finishes with big, chewy, seamless tannins. Should be a very strong vintage for this second wine.
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.