2013 Harlan Estate - Angry Wine Merchant

2006 Harlan Estate

Red Bordeaux Blend

America / California / Napa Valley / Oakville

$1,295

RP 96

V 97

Size:

750 mL
3-Pack OWC 750 mL
1-Pack OWC 1.5 L

Quantité:

2006 Harlan Estate, Napa Valley, USA

Cold, wet (52+ inches) weather in winter and early spring delayed budbreak, but the ground dried out very quickly. Fast and vigorous shoot growth required diligent thinning. A warmer summer than 2005, but it was by no means a hot summer along the lines of 2001, 2002, or 2004. Harvest began on September 18, with deliberate ripening, and finished on October 31.
Average yield: 1.8 tons per acre.

Tasting Notes
At the time of going to press, the 2006 has been in the bottle for nearly a year. Its color is a full, deep ruby. The vibrant nose is rich in detail. The entry is currently intensely fruit-forward in a lively and refreshing way, with tremendous mouth-energy and layered flavors of blackberry, raspberry, tobacco, anise, and spice. There is a focus and linearity, reminiscent of the 1996 when it was in its youth, that bodes well for both early enjoyment and extended longevity. While it’s in the early stages of its evolution, we feel it has great long-term potential.

RP 96

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2006 Harlan Estate has turned out better than I originally predicted. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by classic aromas of creme de cassis, melted licorice, smoked meats, burning embers, and graphite. It has thrown off some of the tannic clout it displayed last year, revealing great balance. A candidate for “wine of the vintage,” this dense, full-bodied effort has 25+ years of life ahead of it. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2035. This extraordinary estate, run by Bill Harlan, has never had either a shortage of ambition or patience. Harlan originally had his wines made elsewhere, but never found the resulting product up to his standards until his home vineyard, high on the western hills of the Oakville Corridor, hit an acceptable level of quality, which turned out to be in 1990. In October, I did a vertical tasting of every Harlan Estate vintage made (which I will report on at a future date), and one thing that was clear is just how extraordinary these wines are, and how well they are aging. Even in California’s lighter, more challenging years, Harlan turned out wines that anyone would be happy to own and consume. The newest offerings include two vintages of The Maiden essentially their second wine, and the flagship Harlan Estate fewer than 2,000 cases produced. Reviewed by Robert M. Parker, Jr., Issue date: December 2009. Drinking window: 2012 - 2035.

V 97

Vinous

Full medium ruby. Subdued but pure and vibrant nose offers black raspberry, minerals, licorice and truffle, all lifted by an ineffable perfume that carries through on the palate. Boasts terrific definiton and energy; following the group of Bond offerings from '06, this tasted like a wine from another vintage. Very intensely flavoured but wonderfully refined wine, with a light touch to its slowly mounting, highly complex flavors of dark fruits, spices, minerals, tobacco and spices. A wine of great finesse, finishing with superb tannins and outstanding lift. This wine has been a knockout from the outset. Reviewed by Stephen Tanzer, Issue date: May 2009. 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

RP 96

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2006 Harlan Estate has turned out better than I originally predicted. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by classic aromas of creme de cassis, melted licorice, smoked meats, burning embers, and graphite. It has thrown off some of the tannic clout it displayed last year, revealing great balance. A candidate for “wine of the vintage,” this dense, full-bodied effort has 25+ years of life ahead of it. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2035. This extraordinary estate, run by Bill Harlan, has never had either a shortage of ambition or patience. Harlan originally had his wines made elsewhere, but never found the resulting product up to his standards until his home vineyard, high on the western hills of the Oakville Corridor, hit an acceptable level of quality, which turned out to be in 1990. In October, I did a vertical tasting of every Harlan Estate vintage made (which I will report on at a future date), and one thing that was clear is just how extraordinary these wines are, and how well they are aging. Even in California’s lighter, more challenging years, Harlan turned out wines that anyone would be happy to own and consume. The newest offerings include two vintages of The Maiden essentially their second wine, and the flagship Harlan Estate fewer than 2,000 cases produced. Reviewed by Robert M. Parker, Jr., Issue date: December 2009. Drinking window: 2012 - 2035.

V 97

Vinous

Full medium ruby. Subdued but pure and vibrant nose offers black raspberry, minerals, licorice and truffle, all lifted by an ineffable perfume that carries through on the palate. Boasts terrific definiton and energy; following the group of Bond offerings from '06, this tasted like a wine from another vintage. Very intensely flavoured but wonderfully refined wine, with a light touch to its slowly mounting, highly complex flavors of dark fruits, spices, minerals, tobacco and spices. A wine of great finesse, finishing with superb tannins and outstanding lift. This wine has been a knockout from the outset. Reviewed by Stephen Tanzer, Issue date: May 2009. Drinking window: N/A.

2006 Harlan Estate, Napa Valley, USA

Cold, wet (52+ inches) weather in winter and early spring delayed budbreak, but the ground dried out very quickly. Fast and vigorous shoot growth required diligent thinning. A warmer summer than 2005, but it was by no means a hot summer along the lines of 2001, 2002, or 2004. Harvest began on September 18, with deliberate ripening, and finished on October 31.
Average yield: 1.8 tons per acre.

Tasting Notes
At the time of going to press, the 2006 has been in the bottle for nearly a year. Its color is a full, deep ruby. The vibrant nose is rich in detail. The entry is currently intensely fruit-forward in a lively and refreshing way, with tremendous mouth-energy and layered flavors of blackberry, raspberry, tobacco, anise, and spice. There is a focus and linearity, reminiscent of the 1996 when it was in its youth, that bodes well for both early enjoyment and extended longevity. While it’s in the early stages of its evolution, we feel it has great long-term potential.