The 1997 Harlan Estate is one of the greatest Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines I have ever tasted. A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the rest Merlot and Cabernet Franc, this enormously-endowed, profoundly rich wine must be tasted to be believed. Opaque purple-colored, it boasts spectacular, soaring aromatics of vanilla, minerals, coffee, blackberries, licorice, and cassis. In the mouth, layer after layer unfold powerfully yet gently. Acidity, tannin, and alcohol are well-balanced by the wine's unreal richness and singular personality. The finish exceeds one minute. Anticipated maturity: 2001-2030. Robert Parker
Lyn Farmer
Tasted from a pristinely managed Cellar this 22 bottle shows the appeal of Harlan - still vibrant fruit with cassis, blackberry and black cherry with a prominent amount of tertiary aromas - leather, dried cherry, prune and forest floor. Notably deep garnet in color the wine is holding up well
Tasted from a pristinely managed Cellar this 22 bottle shows the appeal of Harlan - still vibrant fruit with cassis, blackberry and black cherry with a prominent amount of tertiary aromas - leather, dried cherry, prune and forest floor. Notably deep garnet in color the wine is holding up well
9.2Sean Razee
Master Sommelier
Dark cherry and cassis. Liqueur and still strong vanilla notes. Slight lift or perfume (VA); very youthful aromas. A bit warming. Hugely concentrated. Very enjoyable.
Dark cherry and cassis. Liqueur and still strong vanilla notes. Slight lift or perfume (VA); very youthful aromas. A bit warming. Hugely concentrated. Very enjoyable.
9.4Kevin Ortzman
I thought this vintage underperformed without much depth, imagine a muddy plum.
I thought this vintage underperformed without much depth, imagine a muddy plum.
8.9Bill Bender
Slight flaw here too but didn't kill it. A little too much stewed tomato and tapenade. I had this in '07 and it is a top 10 all time wine for me....this is not that.
Slight flaw here too but didn't kill it. A little too much stewed tomato and tapenade. I had this in '07 and it is a top 10 all time wine for me....this is not that.
9.0Matt Krueger
Surprisingly little VA, but the reductive nature is a little overwhelming. Showing better than it did a few times in 2011 though...
Surprisingly little VA, but the reductive nature is a little overwhelming. Showing better than it did a few times in 2011 though...
8.5Gus Kalaris
At 17 , has plenty of years ahead ! Lives up to the hype. One of the rare 100 pt wines that always does.
At 17 , has plenty of years ahead ! Lives up to the hype. One of the rare 100 pt wines that always does.
10Charlie Beatty
Buyer wineworksonline.com
1997 Harlan with WineGroup Dinner at ChopHouse
1997 Harlan with WineGroup Dinner at ChopHouse
10Davis Smith
Sommelier Acquerello
Despite my doubts, this was pretty delicious.
Despite my doubts, this was pretty delicious.
9.0Eric Hwang
An elegant and powerful wine made even better poured out of a magnum. Blackberry, cassis, graphite, cedar and cocoa with a taste of that Oakville dust in the finish. Overpriced but lives up to the hype.
An elegant and powerful wine made even better poured out of a magnum. Blackberry, cassis, graphite, cedar and cocoa with a taste of that Oakville dust in the finish. Overpriced but lives up to the hype.
9.9Stephen Osgood
much more lifted than expected from some acceptable VA.
much more lifted than expected from some acceptable VA.
9.5WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.