2013 Harlan Estate - Angry Wine Merchant

2003 Harlan Estate

Name: 2003 Harlan Estate
Brand: Harlan Estate
SKU: HAR-B03-750
Price: 225700.0 JPY
Availability: OutOfStock

Red Bordeaux Blend

America / California / Napa Valley / Oakville

¥225,700

JD 93

RP 98

V 95

Size:

750 mL
3-Pack OWC 750 mL

Quantity:

2003 Harlan Estate, Napa Valley, USA

With the founding of Harlan Estate in 1984, we embarked upon our mission of creating a “first growth” of California. The estate’s early vineyard development began with just six acres. Today our planting is essentially complete, with nearly forty acres under vine to the classic varietals: cabernet sauvignon (70%), merlot (20%), cabernet franc (8%), and petit verdot (2%).

Invariably, the finished wine is predominately cabernet sauvignon, which we blend with varying amounts of the other three varietals as we seek to express faithfully the unique and distinctive character of the site. Modest quantities of wine were produced in 1987, 1988, and 1989 from grapes that represented the second, third, and fourth leaf of our estate vineyard.

In each of those years a small number of barrels were produced in the hope of gaining a prescient glimpse into what the character of the land—never before cultivated—might have to offer. The wines were blended, bottled, and labeled with a special designation. Though charming in their own way, these first wines fell short of our standards and aspirations, so were never released. They continue to serve as humble reminders of where we began the journey.

The 2003 Harlan Estate is a luxurious blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot grapes from the acclaimed Harlan Estate vineyard in Napa Valley, California. This vintage is considered to be one of the best produced by the winery, earning critical acclaim for its depth, complexity, and overall balance.

On the nose, the 2003 Harlan Estate exhibits aromas of black cherries, blackberries, and cassis, layered with subtle notes of vanilla, oak spice, and licorice. On the palate, the wine is powerful and full-bodied, with ripe tannins and a velvety texture. Flavors of black fruit, espresso, and dark chocolate are harmoniously entwined, leading to a long and satisfying finish.

The 2003 Harlan Estate is a wine that is best enjoyed, as it benefits from exposure to air to fully express its complex flavors and aromas. It is a wine that is well-suited for pairing with rich and hearty dishes such as roasted meats, game, or aged cheese.

Overall, the 2003 Harlan Estate is a true masterpiece of winemaking, showcasing the elegant and complex nature of Napa Valley wines. It is a wine that is highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts alike, and will continue to age gracefully for many years to come.

JD 93

Jeb Dunnuck

The 2003 Harlan Estate is a huge, almost over the top beauty that doesn’t hold anything back in its deep plum and currant fruits, cedar, toasty oak and licorice aromas and flavors. With full-bodied richness, a sweet, massive texture and a big finish, it stays nicely balanced and enjoyable but has a dry, slightly rustic edge to its tannin that will need to be watched going forward. Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck, December 2017. Drinking window: 2017-2032.

RP 98

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

(Rating 98+) One of the most backward yet promising wines of the vintage is the 2003 Harlan Estate. Its dense opaque plum/purple color is accompanied by a sumptuous bouquet of graphite, camphor, creme de cassis, smoky barbecue wood and a hint of forest floor. Similar flavors hit the mouth with full-bodied splendor, a multidimensional mouthfeel and texture, and the sensational finish lasts more than 45 seconds. Some tannins are still present, and this wine seems much younger than expected at ten years of age, so give it 4-5 more years of bottle age and consume it over the following 20-25 years. One of the most stunningly beautiful vineyards in all of Napa Valley, Harlan Estate is located in the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains overlooking the Oakville Corridor. Harlan has been making world-class, first growth quality wines since the debut vintages of 1990 and 1991. Virtually nothing has been changed by winemaker Bob Levy, owner Bill Harlan and globe-trotting consultant Michel Rolland. The wine is largely all Cabernet Sauvignon and the production from the 40-acre vineyard is usually under 2,000 cases. The vineyard has a surprising composition of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Most blends lean heavily on the Cabernet Sauvignon with slightly more Cabernet Franc being utilized over recent vintages. Following the great 2001 and 2002 vintages, 2003 is the type of vintage that has a tendency to be forgotten, but the two 2003s prove that the site’s great pedigree is never easy to dismiss. Reviewed by Robert M. Parker, Jr. Issue date: June 2013. Drinking window: 2017-2042.

V 95

Vinous

Good deep ruby-red. Blackcurrant, minerals, graphite, mocha and leather on the nose. Sweet and tightly wound, with a violet topnote and terrific depth of flavor. This powerfully structured wine has plenty of meat on its bones. The tannins are huge but refined. This must be among the three or four longest wines of the vintage, with the violet quality persisting on the aftertaste. (I retasted the 2002 on this occasion, and this elixir of a wine continues to be one of the greatest California cabernets of my experience, with a knockout nose of black raspberry, minerals, tobacco and crushed stone; a super concentrated essence of cabernet on the palate; and an almost confectionery finish of incredible persistence. My latest sample merited a solid 98.) Reviewed by Stephen Tanzer, Issue date: May 2006. Drinking window: n/a.

Domestic Shipping

We currently ship to all U.S. states where the shipment of alcohol is legally permitted. Orders are fulfilled via UPS.

Orders placed Monday through Thursday before 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time typically ship the same day. Orders placed after 2:00 p.m. on Thursday through Sunday will ship the following Monday.

Same-day delivery may be available within the Los Angeles Metro area if placed before noon. Please contact us at (626) 714-7006 to arrange expedited local service.

Packaging & Warm Weather Shipping

To protect wine quality, all orders are packed in EPS foam shippers with gel packs when necessary. During warmer months, we recommend selecting Next Day Air service. If Ground shipping is selected during high temperatures, a signed waiver may be required to release us from liability due to heat exposure.

For OWC (Original Wooden Case) orders, bottles are removed and shipped in foam for safety. The wooden case ships separately via Ground unless otherwise requested.

Weather Holds & Free Storage

In periods of extreme weather, we reserve the right to delay shipment until safe conditions return. If you request immediate shipment during such periods, you must confirm in writing and acknowledge that you waive any condition guarantees.

We also offer complimentary temperature-controlled storage for up to 6 months from the date of purchase. Select the “Hold for Weather” option at checkout and we will coordinate shipping at a later date.

Insurance

We provide free shipping insurance for loss or visible damage during transit, per carrier terms and conditions.

Adult Signature Required

All shipments of alcohol require an adult signature (21+) upon delivery. Carriers will not release packages without adult authorization. Additional charges may apply for re-delivery, redirection, or failed delivery attempts.

Shipping Address Accuracy

Orders are shipped to the exact shipping address provided at checkout. Angry Wine Merchant is not responsible for errors or omissions in the address submitted by the customer. If a package is delayed, returned, or misdelivered due to incorrect shipping details, the customer assumes full responsibility. Additional shipping fees may apply if re-shipment is required. By placing an order, you confirm that the shipping address entered is correct and agree to these terms.

States We Ship To

We ship to the following U.S. states:

Alabama (AL), Alaska (AK), Arizona (AZ), Arkansas (AR), California (CA), Colorado (CO), Connecticut (CT), Delaware (DE), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Hawaii (HI), Idaho (ID), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Kentucky (KY), Louisiana (LA), Maine (ME), Maryland (MD), Massachusetts (MA), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), Mississippi (MS), Missouri (MO), Montana (MT), Nebraska (NE), Nevada (NV), New Hampshire (NH), New Jersey (NJ), New Mexico (NM), New York (NY), North Carolina (NC), Ohio (OH), Oklahoma (OK), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), Rhode Island (RI), South Carolina (SC), South Dakota (SD), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Vermont (VT), Virginia (VA), Washington (WA), West Virginia (WV), Wisconsin (WI), Wyoming (WY)

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International Shipping

We do offer international shipping where legally allowed. For details, click here or contact us directly.

CRITICAL REVIEWS
WINEMAKER NOTES

JD 93

Jeb Dunnuck

RP 98

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

V 95

Vinous

2003 Harlan Estate, Napa Valley, USA

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