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2013 Harlan Estate Oakville California USA Wine Tasting Note

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2013
Harlan Estate  (Oakville)
100
Kicking off with a hint of oak, smoke, which quickly morphs to its lush, sensuous, powerful, full bodied approach. The wine builds and expands in your mouth and keeps going. When you return to the wine, you find an intriguing citrus, orange blossom note hidden in the background that adds to the continually expanding levels of complexity. This must remain with you for more than 60 seconds. But this is no shy wine. It is powerful, concentrated, complex and needs time to really come together.

Kicking off with a hint of oak, smoke, which quickly morphs to its lush, sensuous, powerful, full bodied approach. The wine builds and expands in your mouth and keeps going. When you return to the wine, you find an intriguing citrus, orange blossom note hidden in the background that adds to the continually expanding levels of complexity. This must remain with you for more than 60 seconds. But this is no shy wine. It is powerful, concentrated, complex and needs time to really come together.

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The first thing you notice is the inky, dark hue. The perfume is only subtly oaky. The smoke, licorice, fresh picked blackberry, cassis, earth, boysenberry and hints of vanilla, tinged espresso beans. On the palate, the wine is deep, powerful and concentrated, it retains a freshness and vibrancy that keeps everything in balance. This is not over the top, or even close to too much, a common refrain from some tasters. There is no sensation of heat. It's on the refined, elegant, complex side of the style range with a finish that does not want to go quietly into that good night. The wine is going to need at least a decade to show at its best. This is one of the better examples of a young vintage of Harlan Estate I can remember tasting. As a matter of style, 2013 Harlan Estate is closer to the 2001 than the 2002 vintage.

The first thing you notice is the inky, dark hue. The perfume is only subtly oaky. The smoke, licorice, fresh picked blackberry, cassis, earth, boysenberry and hints of vanilla, tinged espresso beans. On the palate, the wine is deep, powerful and concentrated, it retains a freshness and vibrancy that keeps everything in balance. This is not over the top, or even close to too much, a common refrain from some tasters. There is no sensation of heat. It's on the refined, elegant, complex side of the style range with a finish that does not want to go quietly into that good night. The wine is going to need at least a decade to show at its best. This is one of the better examples of a young vintage of Harlan Estate I can remember tasting. As a matter of style, 2013 Harlan Estate is closer to the 2001 than the 2002 vintage.

16,603 Views   Tasted

When to Drink Harlan Estate, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Harlan Estate is much better with at least 8-12 years of aging in good vintages. Young vintages can be decanted for 3-4-5 hours if desired. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume.

Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment. Harlan Estate offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 10-20 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Harlan Estate with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Harlan Estate is best served at 60 degrees Fahrenheit, 15.5 degrees Celsius. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. Harlan Estate is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised and grilled dishes.

Harlan Estate is also good with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms and pasta.

www.harlanestate.com