I was able to attend a 3-day private event in Napa, co-organized by a company together with the Wine Advocate. There were winery visits, dinners, lunches and a 2007 Napa Masterclass guided by Robert Parker and Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW. A really fantastic few days with great learning opportunity. Robert Parker was, as always, his down to earth, friendly self, spending lots of time talking with participants. I really adore him for not having become even a bit aloof after all the fame and accolades. Like his ratings or not, but that is classy!
You will notice from my scores that I have not given a 100 points to any wines despite having consumed the peak of Napa during this event. I find the Napa CabSav aromatically a touch below the 3 digit score. Also, some of them are too “sweet” for my palate. However, they are very consistent vintage in and vintage out, much more so than Bordeaux. I am of course nit picking here, but that is just my taste. So, feel free to mentally add 2-3 points per wine if you are a fan of riper/richer CabSav style.
Dinner at Harlan, in their Cuverie, was one of the highlights of the trip. The atmosphere in the candle lit cellar was amazing. Also Bill Harland and his team were very generous hosts and passionately explained details of their work. Harlan is one of the true greats of Napa, unfortunately it has its price.
Tasting Notes
2010 Harlan Estate 98 Points
Dinner at Harlan estate with the wine maker and team. It was mentioned that 2010 was a slightly cooler vintage. Nose of blue fruit, oak, mild spices, cedar. Very refined entry on the palate, fantastic mid mouth feel with just the right amount of tannins to carry the fruit. This was my favorite wine in the line up, I liked the elegance in this wine despite the volume. It provided additional freshness vs. the 07 and 01.
2007 Harlan Estate 96 Points
Dinner at Harlan estate with the wine maker and team. It was interesting to re-vist this wine a day after the masterclass tasting. Similar impression and tasting note. Clearly warmer than the 2010 with riper notes such as dried fruit and Christmas cake as well. The ripe style and how it behaved in the glass suggested that you may want to decant this, or at least not for too long.
2001 Harlan Estate 95 Points
Dinner at Harlan estate with the wine maker and team. Nose of dark fruit, cloves and gingerbread. Big on the palate with a touch drying tannins may be stemming from the heat/hydric stress in 2001. A bit too sweet for my palate, especially after the 2010 but very nice wine overall.
1994 Harlan Estate, 96 Points
Tasted subsequently in Singapore, posted here for completeness. Now we really enter the full throttle territory. Really rich wine here with dark fruit, the “more of everythign” Cru of the night. Lovely on the palate, the balance is there but an alcoholic touch on the finish made me make some deductions.
2014 Harlan Estate, 95 Points
Tasted subsequently in Singapore, posted here for completeness. Concentrated, dark fruit, but stays fresh throughout. Aromatically a bit uneventful but then, still very young.
Author: Christian Raubach, WSET III, FWS, WSG Champagne Master
November 2016