Category: | Red Wines |
Sub-Category: | Red Wines |
Producer: | Harlan Estate |
Label Name: | Napa Valley |
Vintage: | 2011 |
Country: | United States |
Region: | Napa Valley (Oakville) |
Volume: | 750ml |
ABV: | 14.5% |
Grape(s): | Cabernet Sauvignon blend (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot) |
Acidity: | 4 |
Tannins: | 5 |
Sweetness: | 1 |
Body: | 4 |
Length: | 5 |
Aroma Intensity: | 5 |
Best Temperature: | 16-18°C |
Awards/Ratings
James Suckling 97; Decanter 97; Vinous 95–97 (commonly cited 96); Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 93; Wine Spectator 93; Drinking window often cited c. 2021–2041
Tasting Note
Perfumed blackcurrant and plum with violets, rosemary and graphite; savory tobacco, camphor and forest-floor notes follow. Full, concentrated palate with chewy tannins, dark fruit, mineral drive and a long, brooding finish.
Food Pairing
Western: grilled ribeye, roast lamb, aged cheddar, braised short ribs; Asian: Korean BBQ (galbi/bulgogi), Peking duck, Szechuan-style beef or soy‑braised short ribs.
Production Method
Hand‑harvested fruit, small‑lot fermentations with extended maceration; matured ~18–24 months in new and used French oak barrels, then blended and bottled (minimal filtration).
Vineyard Info
Founded by Bill Harlan in 1984 on oak‑studded western hills of Oakville. Estate (~240 acres, ~40 planted) produces a cult Cabernet‑based flagship and second wine The Maiden; known for low yields, dry‑farming and meticulous vineyard work.