Harlan Estate Oakville Napa Valley 2008 1.5 Liter Magnum

Harlan Estate is a high-profile, critically-lauded wine producer based in the Oakville AVA of Napa Valley, California. The vineyard is superbly located in the hills above Martha’s Vineyard (Heitz Cellar) and To Kalon (Robert Mondavi), just north of Napa town itself. Its Cabernet Sauvignon-based flagship wine is one of California’s most sought-after wines, regularly commanding prices exceeding $1000 per bottle. The estate was founded in 1984 by property developer William (known as “Bill”) Harlan. He had previously developed the Meadowood resort before buying 240 acres (97 hectares) of steep, densely wooded land above the western Oakville benchlands. Some 40 acres (16 hectares) of this was cleared for vineyards. These are mostly planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, but with smaller amounts of other red Bodeaux varieties. Harlan Estate’s first commercial vintage was the 1990, which was released in 1996 with a then-expensive price tag of $65 a bottle. Since then, the estate has cemented itself as one of the most highly-regarded wine producers in the world, with eight vintages achieving 100-point scores from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. As a result, prices have risen exponentially, and today the average global price (ex-tax) per 750ml bottle approaches $1,500 USD. In addition to the flagship red, Harlan Estate also makes a second wine, The Maiden.

Critcial Acclaim

98 James Suckling
I am speechless. I love the pure aromas of currants, blackberries, minerals and mint — eucalyptus too. Full body yet so refined and beautiful. Subtle complexity. Great length. Give it two or three years to come together, but hard to hold back.

96 Wine Spectator
Deliciously ripe, complex and aromatic, yet tight and closed, with dried currant, loamy earth, mocha, cedar, blueberry and plum flavors. The impressive finish shows detailed flavors and nuances. Full-blown, yet not as ripe as some Harlans. Best from 2013 through 2028.

96 Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Espresso, mocha, dark red berries, rose petals and spices are some of the many notes that emerge from the 2008 Harlan Estate. The wine fleshes out beautifully in the glass as it shows off its class and true pedigree. This is a decidedly ripe, forward vintage, but in exchange the wine will drink well right out of the gate. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2028.