Harlan Estate

2017

Wine Advocate 97+: Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Harlan Estate needs a little coaxing to reveal captivating iron ore, red currant jelly, cloves and crushed rocks scents with a core of warm cassis, Black Forest cake and boysenberries plus a waft of pencil lead. Medium to full-bodied, it has a firm, grainy texture with a lively backbone and loads of earthy layers, long and mineral laced. This should be one of the longer-lived wines coming out of the 2017 vintage.

James Suckling 97: Love the sage and mint undertones with currants and berries. Some lead pencil. Iodine. Medium to full body and very fine tannins. Lovely freshness. It’s a refined and gorgeous Harlan. Savory. Beautiful finish.

Vinous 96: The 2017 Harlan Estate is superb. Deep, inky and wonderfully expressive, the 2017 is impeccably rendered. All the elements come together effortlessly. The nervous tannins of the vintage are evident, but there is also plenty of sumptuousness. Time in the glass brings out a whole range of red-toned fruit and floral notes that are surprising for a year with massive heat spike. The 2017 is polished and sophisticated to the core. In a word: impressive.

Decanter 97: One of the more logistically challenging harvests in recent history, the Harlan team has put together a pure, precise and opulent showing of their benchmark wine. The nose straddles dense aromas of black fruits and new French oak with a spry, energetic, floral quality. The palate overflows with concentrated black fruits, fresh herbs and dried flowers, leading to a tense, upright and firm finish. Harlan's perennial polish and seamlessness are on display throughout.