Le Harlan 2002 est un vin rouge à base de cabernet sauvignon issu de raisins de la Napa Valley (Oakville) ; il associe du merlot, du cabernet franc et du petit verdot pour former ce vin de style bordelais qui a fait la renommée du domaine Harlan. La production a été limitée à seulement 1 500 à 1 600 caisses.
La saison de croissance 2002 a commencé tôt. En raison d’un hiver plus sec que la moyenne, le débourrement, quelque peu précoce, a eu lieu le 1er avril, mais les températures printanières et estivales sont ensuite devenues irrégulières, et les pluies ont été intermittentes jusqu’à la fin du mois de mai. Les raisins utilisés pour ce vin ont été récoltés sur plus de 40 acres de vignobles comprenant un mélange de plantations en terrasses et à haute densité.
Bob Levy a supervisé la vinification, et le vin a été élevé pendant près de deux ans dans des fûts de chêne français 100 % neufs.
Il se déguste de préférence décanté jusqu’en 2040.
Robert Parker (100)
believe the 2001 Harlan Estate and 2002 Harlan Estate’s 100 point scores represent the first time I have given perfect ratings to two successive wines produced in the New World. However, the styles of the two wines couldn’t be more different as each reflects its particular vintage. The 2001 is a classic, long-lived, backward wine with most of its potential concealed at present. On the other hand, it is impossible to resist the flamboyant, extroverted 2002 Harlan Estate’s charm, richness, and overall seductive personality. This profoundly complex wine exhibits notes of cedar, black currant liqueur, scorched earth, smoke, and graphite. Incredibly broad, sweet, full-bodied, opulent, and voluptuous, it literally has everything one could ever want in a great Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine. Already drinkable, it promises to evolve effortlessly for 25-30 years. This prodigious offering is worth mortgaging the farm! Bill Harlan, winemaker Bob Levy and consulting oenologist Michel Rolland have achieved spectacular results in an amazingly short time at this estate in the western hills overlooking the Oakville corridor. The introduction of a second wine, The Maiden, has allowed this team to ratchet up the level of the grand cru. From over 40 acres of vineyard, only 1,500-1,600 cases of Harlan Estate and 800 cases of The Maiden are produced. In order to keep quality at such an extraordinary level, I suspect production will never go much higher.
Winespectator (99)
Approaching perfection. Wonderful perfumed and floral aromas, with rich cassis, blackberry and wild berry fruit scents. On the palate those flavors are intense and vibrant, creating a mouthcoating sensation and finishing with a persistent aftertaste and rich, integrated tannins.
BOW (10-)
Falstaff (100)
Dark ruby, firm core, delicate ochre rim. On the nose attractive cassis fruit, black berry confit, plus a touch of pickled olive, eucalyptus hints, attractive bouquet with hints of mint and noble wood. On the palate a super elegant texture, pronounced fruit body, silky, supporting tannins, perfect balance, has reached a delicious level of maturity, very long finish. Epic, almost cinematic.
Wine Enthusiast (99)
The aroma is deep and inviting, equal parts new oak, Cabernet fruit and dried herbs. Has tremendous weight, with red and black cherry, cola, chocolate, cassis and roasted coconut flavors. Brilliant now, virtually flawless and totally delicious, yet has the impeccable balance to age and even improve over the years.
