Harlan Estate

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1994

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

This 1994 wasn’t the highest scoring wine of the tasting, but it was the prettiest. The 1994 vintage didn’t get the accolades of say 1997 and 2007, but in my mind and many others, 1994 was a very special vintage.

I have to thank Bob Levy and Don Weaver for bringing their very best wines to this tasting. Quite often, you will attend these tastings, and they will bring a couple nice vintages, and a number of off vintages. All but one of these 6 didn’t get an RP 💯 rating. So hats off to them for really bringing it!

The nose showed me beautiful perfumed fruits that were at the center of it a very dark core of currants, blackberries, black, raspberries, dark cherries, both plums baked strawberries with hints of Mulberry. The best, layered baking spices I can remember, black, licorice, dark, chocolate, red, and dark flowers, roses, and violets.

Glorious fruits and well resolved tenants were the theme in this wine. Black raspberries, dark cherries, ripe strawberries, and sweet cherries. Soft, dry soils, light and softly expressed dark spices, mid berry cola, black licorice, soft, gentle, tobacco’s, used leather, caramel, both dark and milk chocolates, limestone, dry river stone, dry, crushed rocks, excellent acidity, gentle tension, and structure, well balanced with an elegant two-minute finish that lands evenly on fruit on earth.

If there is one thing I learned tasting 6 Harlan’s is Bob Levy is one of the very best, if not thee best at managing Cabernet/Bordeaux blend tannins.

Tasting with Winemaker- Bob Levy & Managing Director-Don Weaver. — a month ago

Jeroen, Jay and 8 others liked this

Jay Kline

What a special vertical!

Somm David T

It was a special experience. I talked w/ a number of long time family of Harlan properties employees at Pebble Beach Food & Wine last weekend who said they haven’t even been in the same room with Don & Bob. Great experience…good representation of three decades of Harlan.

Domain d' Andezon

Côtes du Rhône Syrah 2020

Jason and Caitlin

9.1

Really good, from Weaver Street — 4 years ago

Harlan Estate

Napa Valley Proprietary Red Blend 2016

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

Beautiful fruits on the nose. Blackberries, dark cherries, plum, dark core of black currants, soft tarriness, mid berry cola, baking soda, gently, layered, baking, spices, soft earthiness with dark and red flowers.

The palate shows a beautiful tenant profile with velvety and powdery tannins. Just ripe blackberries, dark, cherries, black, raspberries, and blueberries. Dark chocolate, beautiful spices with depth and palate heat, understated, baking, spices, dry soils, dry, crushed rocks, limestone, dark chocolate, medium dry spice box, Asian, spices, grand acidity, excellent, soft tension, great length smartly, polished, elegant finish, that goes on and on and lands on clays and spice.

If there is one thing I learned tasting 6 Harlan’s is Bob Levy is one of the very best, if not thee best at managing Cabernet/Bordeaux blend tannins.

Tasting with Winemaker-Bob Levy & Managing Director-Don Weaver. — a month ago