Wine Advisor
Harlan, Proprietary Red 2006
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
A completely different animal, the 2006 Harlan Estate offers more chocolate, espresso roast, black currant, and forest floor characteristics. Like the 2005, it is very full-bodied, but the tannins are striking, the wine possesses a more youthful austerity, and neither the charm nor suppleness displayed by the 2005 at a similar age. There is a steely backbone to this wine that suggests cellaring will be essential. Give it 3-4 years of bottle age, and enjoy it over the following three decades. (Not yet released) Tel. (707) 944-1441; Fax (707) 944-1444
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 2006 Harlan Estate has turned out better than I originally predicted. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by classic aromas of creme de cassis, melted licorice, smoked meats, burning embers, and graphite. It has thrown off some of the tannic clout it displayed last year, revealing great balance. A candidate for “wine of the vintage,” this dense, full-bodied effort has 25+ years of life ahead of it. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2035. This extraordinary estate, run by Bill Harlan, has never had either a shortage of ambition or patience. Harlan originally had his wines made elsewhere, but never found the resulting product up to his standards until his home vineyard, high on the western hills of the Oakville Corridor, hit an acceptable level of quality, which turned out to be in 1990. In October, I did a vertical tasting of every Harlan Estate vintage made (which I will report on at a future date), and one thing that was clear is just how extraordinary these wines are, and how well they are aging. Even in California’s lighter, more challenging years, Harlan turned out wines that anyone would be happy to own and consume. The newest offerings include two vintages of The Maiden essentially their second wine, and the flagship Harlan Estate fewer than 2,000 cases produced. Tel. (707) 944-1441; Fax (707) 944-1444
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted at Hermitage Wines’ seminar in Hong Kong. Let me cut to the chase: I think this is an excellent Harlan, perhaps one of the best I have tried. The nose has supreme purity with seductive scents of freshly picked blueberry mingling with black cherries and crushed stone, yet there is a countervailing sense of restraint and even Old World “classicism” with underlying tertiary notes. The palate is well balanced with firm tannins: a less opulent Harlan compared to other vintages but with ample freshness and vitality on the finish to make this a very satisfying wine. Drink now, but will age will aplomb. Tasted November 2011.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
((500) Full medium ruby. Subdued but pure and vibrant nose offers black raspberry, minerals, licorice and truffle, all lifted by an ineffable perfume that carries through on the palate. Boasts terrific definition and energy; following the group of Bond offerings from '06, this tasted like a wine from another vintage. Very intensely flavored but wonderfully refined wine, with a light touch to its slowly mounting, highly complex flavors of dark fruits, spices, minerals, tobacco and spices. A wine of great finesse, finishing with superb tannins and outstanding lift. This wine has been a knockout from the outset.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
Bright ruby. Knockout musky nose presents black raspberry, minerals and mocha. Uncommonly sweet and lush for the vintage but with fresh acidity and notes of spices and minerals giving terrific definition to the middle palate. The firm, ripe tannins are outlasted by rising fruit. Very subtle and long. A remarkable 2006 in the making.
About the Producer
The land at Château Harlan is unique in that the vineyards are situated on hillsides that are well drained and rise and fall with the slopes. The first 9.7 hectares of vineyard, planted between 1986 and 1987, was planted in a staggered manner, as the two small plots that make up the vineyard are located on either side of the hillside. The vines were planted with 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. The vineyards are planted at varying densities, with half of the vineyards planted with 1,750 vines per hectare and the other half with 5,500 vines per hectare. The high quality of Château Hallam's wines is a result of the meticulousness of the entire winemaking process. The winemaking philosophy at Château Hallam is to preserve the natural flavour of the grapes and to take a gentle approach to the growing and fermentation process. The barrels in the winery are all new French oak barrels. The main wine, Harlan Estate Proprietary Red, is aged in barrel for 25 months, while the unselected wine is bottled after 10 months as a secondary wine, The Maiden, without filtration or clarification. The wines of Château Hallam are dark in colour, fruity and floral, with strong, restrained tannins and a firm, robust texture, and have the potential to age for at least 20 years. Best vintages include: 1991, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2007.
