- CRITICAL REVIEWS
- WINEMAKER NOTES
Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Vinous
2002 Harlan Estate, Napa Valley, USA
Coming off a drier-than-normal winter, a somewhat early budbreak began April 1. Temperatures throughout spring and into the summer were erratic, with rain off and on through the end of May. Well-above-average temperatures alternated with lower-than-average daytime temperatures throughout most of the summer. Hot days in early September brought on a rapid onset of harvest. Temperatures moderated somewhat, then rose into the upper 90°s for several days in the third week of September and enabled ideal maturity. Harvest was short and sweet, spanning from September 16 to October 11. The hotter, shorter ripening period produced very concentrated, powerful, and exuberant wines. Average yield: 1.5 tons per acre.
Tasting Notes Deep, dark color—almost black. Classic cabernet sauvignon varietal nose, with notes of cedar, sage, mocha, black currant, smoke, and graphite. Shows explosive flavors of ripe fruit and earth notes with great density and complexity. Very dense, powerful, and rich. Backing up the ripe fruit flavors are uncommon layers of depth that keep going and going. This is an opulent vintage showing a super-ripe richness, fruit, and purity, as well as a finely honed texture. Noble tannins, flamboyant flavors, and an open-knit structure allow for both near-term enjoyment and the prospect of long-term aging. Hold 2-5 years and then drink for 30+ years.