Harlan Estate, Napa Valley Red Wine 2001

The following tasting note shows the combined comments of the tasting panel organised for Club Oenologique at Harlan Estate on 11 March 2020. Present: Adam Lechmere, Bill Harlan, Will Harlan, estate directer Don Weaver, collector Jim Walker, Harlan educator Kelli White, director of winegrowing Bob Levy, Jamie Ritchie of Sotheby’s fine wine, Elaine Chukan Brown (notes can be found on jancisrobinson.com), winemaker Cory Empting, associate director François Vignaud

Bordeaux blend of average 75% Cabernet Sauvignon plus varying proportions of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

Adam Lechmere – The nose has a tinge of blood, a ferrous edge. The palate is soft and generous, lovely sweet dark fruit and dried petals, high notes of cooked earth, garrigue, tannins gripping but soft, velvet-coated, finish long and delicate

Don Weaver – “we always see this as the second coming of 1994” “lusty kind of wine – rewarded by seeing what we could do with our tannin here” Jim – 01 “back up the truck” BH “fantastic”

Bob Levy – concentrated, earthy notes with underlying minerality; cedar, tobacco leaf, unusual freshness in nose; powerful tannins, slightly powdery & slightly dry but tremendously complexing, very long, concentrated finish

Cory Empting – blood & iron; the energy on the palate illuminates the detail in all of its glory, seamless tannins

Don Weaver – notes of campfire, camphor, cassis; loaded, multi-layered, ripe red & black fruit, licorice; resolved, sweet tannins, very broad, lusty wine, acidity shining a light on the detail; a wonderment, the second coming of the 1994, another “pillar”

François Vignaud – secondary notes with a bit of evolution; just the start of tertiary aromas; divine perfume of herbal notes, tobacco, sweet fruit, licorice; mouthfeel is complete, evolving from soft, lifted attack to a growing mid-palate in texture

Bill Harlan – nose pleasant, full body, flavor, weight, structure

Jamie Ritchie – Complex nose of licorice and spice combined with dense black fruit and blueberries, with notes of violets, coffee, tea and tar. Quite exotic and flamboyant. It has the standard Harlan combination of sweet and savory, with a meaty finish that is almost port like. Quite intoxicating with its richness and freshness. Ready from now and excellent.

Jim Walker –  tannins present but unobtrusive; lingers in the mouth for minutes; a stunner! lasts forever

Kelli White –  on the nose this wine shows youthfulness; heady scents of sandalwood, dried cherries, campfire and black licorice; gorgeous mouthfeel, simultaneously giving & reticent, with sweet appealing fruit & tight chalky tannins; very long, forthright finish

Will Harlan – the nose of Bordeaux (brett?) some barnyard; texturally impressive, balanced, harmonious, complex, detailed; tannins still very present, slightly rustic; not refined; Old World in the best way