Harlan Estate 2012

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.

This shows incredible lavender aromas with Provencal undertones of violets, dark fruits such as blueberry and blackberry, and some walnut. Full body plus ultra fine tannins that build on the finish. It really comes on with a rolling tannin structure. Tightly wound. A muscular and elegant wine with superb tone. A fresh and bright Harlan. This wine has levity, as the winemaker likes to say. Try in 2020.

There is impressive density and strength to this wine coupled with an absolute focus on precision of execution – this is very much a wine of style but it nevertheless carries the hallmark characteristics and flavours of its portion of Oakville. Lightly tactile, fine while persistent tannins and moderate acidity. The flavours here are dense though not heavy; dark and opaque though not brooding. Notes of wild cherry and blackcurrant, lavender, mint, and utterly dark, bitter cocoa. A genuinely intriguing wine. Its weakness rests in the weak vintage rather than the winemaking. Needs time in bottle. (ECB) 14.5% Drink 2020-2028

The dense opaque purple-colored 2012 Harlan Estate reveals a beautiful bouquet of spring flowers (acacia?), sweet, subtle, toasty oak, unsmoked cigar tobacco, crème de cassis, mocha and a touch of wet steel/gravel-like minerality. With extraordinary fruit, density and complexity, this full-bodied, classic 2012 reminds me of the 2002, but is slightly softer and more evolved. Black fruit aromas and flavors fill the glass, and the wine has incredibly sweet, melted, well-integrated tannins. This 2012 can be drunk now, but promises to begin revealing more nuances in 4-6 years, and last for at least three decades.