Tasting Notes
Vinous 97
Racy and inviting, the 2012 Harlan Estate is the perfect wine to get this vertical started. Silky tannins and plush, richly textured fruit give the 2012 much of its immediacy. Succulent red cherry, plum, mocha, spice, rose petal and new leather are some of the many notes that grace this exquisite, sumptuous wine.
Anticipated maturity: 2017-2037
Robert Parker 99
The 2012 Harlan Estate is reminiscent of their 2002. Probably a candidate for perfection with another 4-5 years of bottle age, the wine is inky plum/purple to the rim and offers a gorgeous nose of scorched earth, blackberry and cassis, forest floor, and a floral, lavender-like component followed by deep, opulent, majestic flavors that caress the palate with high but sweet tannin. This is relatively evolved, and supple and voluptuous for a young Harlan estate ” hence the comparison with their compelling 2002. This wine can be drunk in several years and is likely another candidate for 30-50 years of cellaring.
Anticipated maturity: 2018-2068
JancisRobinson.com 17+
Magnum. 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, remainder: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot. The wine exhibits a somewhat playful character, with the fruit – a mix of dark fruits accented by a bright red lift – more apparent and also quite lifted and higher toned than in the younger vintages. The 2012 vintage has less structural focus, especially after the strength of the 2013. It is an entirely pleasant wine with likely a bit less ageability and not as much structural grounding as its neighbouring vintages. A touch of meatiness from appropriate evolution in bottle emerges here, with accents of spiced cocoa and a bit of sweetness through the finish. This is an ephemeral vintage for Harlan Estate with powdery fine tannin on the palate and a very long finish. (ECB)
Anticipated maturity: 2020-2040
