1996

Harlan Estate

Wine

Harlan Estate

Description

1996 Harlan Estate Napa Valley

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Outer quote mark Deep garnet with some brick in color, this is giving a spicy nose with notes of cloves, Chinese five spice and ripe plums plus hints of cherry compote and smoked game. The palate is youthful and has plenty of muscular fruit with firm, fine-grained tannins plus enlivening acid, finishing long. (LPB) Inner quote mark (11/2011)

Wine Spectator
Outer quote mark Very tight and compact, dense and focused, with vibrant blackberry, graphite and black cherry fruit that's intense, concentrated and persistent. (JL, Web-2010) Inner quote mark

Vinous
Outer quote mark It is fascinating to taste the 1996 Harlan Estate after the 1999. Tightly wound and almost Old World in spirit, the 1996 is compelling from the first taste. Although the 1996 doesn’t have the natural Napa Valley opulence that runs through so many other wines in this tasting, it’s balance is simply impeccable. Scents of tobacco, leather, cedar and spice add aromatic intensity. For a 21 year-old wine, the 1996 is still quite powerful. As good as the 1996 is, there is a perceptible aggressiveness in the tannins that are hardly, if ever, seen in today’s wines. (AG) Inner quote mark (9/2017)