Category:
 
Red Wines
Sub-Category:  
 
Red Wines
Producer:
 
Harlan Estate
Label Name:
 
Napa Valley
Vintage:
 
2012
Country:
 
United States
Region:
 
Oakville, Napa Valley, California
Volume:
 
750ml
ABV:
 
14.5%
Grape(s):
 
Cabernet Sauvignon 78%, Merlot 14%, Cabernet Franc 6%, Petit Verdot 2%
Acidity:
 
3
Tannins:
 
5
Sweetness:
 
1
Body:
 
5
Length:
 
5
Aroma Intensity:
 
5
Best Temperature:
 
16-18°C

Awards/Ratings
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: 99+ (2012). Vinous/Antonio Galloni: ~97–99. James Suckling: 98. Wine Spectator: ~93. Widely acclaimed on the secondary market; frequently cited as collectible and long-lived

Tasting Note
Inky blackberry, cassis and plum with lavender, forest-floor and scorched-earth notes, plus mocha and dark chocolate. Extremely concentrated, opulent and layered with high-but-sweet, ultra-fine tannins and a very long, majestic finish.

Food Pairing
Western: grilled ribeye, roast lamb, braised short ribs, aged hard cheeses. Asian: Korean BBQ (galbi/bulgogi), Peking duck, Cantonese char siu, Sichuan beef or rich noodle dishes.

Production Method
Estate-grown fruit, hand-harvested and destemmed; small-lot fermentations; matured in 100% French oak barrels (predominantly new) and typically aged c.24–36 months before release.

Vineyard Info
Founded by Bill Harlan in 1984, Harlan Estate is an Oakville cult property (≈240 acres, ~40 planted) built to produce a Bordeaux-style "first growth" Cabernet-led wine.