Harlan Estate 1997

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "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."

WINE SPECTATOR: "A great bottle, ripe, intense, structured, focused and concentrated, with youthful, vibrant, layered flavors, gaining velocity and length. There´s a tremendous finish.--Non-blind Harlan retrospective (2010). Drink now through 2020. 2,100 cases made."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, this wine clearly has two sides to its personality. One can be at a minimum, marked by VA, others can be destroyed by VA. There are other times when the wine can provide stunning levels of pleasure. Fortunately for us, one of the good bottles decided to show up. Powerful, sweet, lush, rich, velvety, silky and rich, the fruit is ripe, fresh, clean and sweet. The finish is long, pure and generous."

DECANTER: "The 1997 Harlan Estate is a difficult wine to review, as the nose and palate present something of a dichotomy. The bouquet is quite torrefied and tertiary, with notes of caramel, dried fruit, chocolate and a hint of California prune. But on the palate the wine is very exciting and vibrant, with an ample chassis of fine-grained tannins, vibrant acids and an intense, penetrating finish. Notable bottle variation is reported with this vintage."