Harlan Estate 1994

"What can I say about the 1994? I have tasted the wine for three consecutive years, and each time it satisfied all of my requirements for perfection. The opaque purple color is followed by spectacular aromatics that soar from the glass, offering up celestial levels of black currants, minerals, smoked herbs, cedar wood, coffee, and pain grille. In the mouth, this seamless legend reveals full body, and exquisite layers of phenomenally pure and rich fruit, followed by a 40+ second finish. While accessible, the 1994 begs for another 5-7 years of cellaring. It should easily last for 30+ years. Every possible jagged edge - acidity, alcohol, tannin, and wood - is brilliantly intertwined in what seems like a diaphanous format. What is so extraordinary about this large-scaled wine, with its dazzling display of aromatics and prodigious flavors and depth, is that it offers no hint of heaviness or coarseness. Harlan's 1994 comes close to immortality in the glass."

100 Points

The Wine Advocate

"Deep ruby-red. Knockout nose combines dark fruits, exotic Asian spices, coffee, violet and a leathery nuance. Extraordinarily pure, concentrated and youthful, with a juicy intensity of flavor that's almost painful today. The endless, slowly building finish features noble tannins and fruit, mineral and spice notes that refuse to quit. This extraordinary wine strikes me as virtually ageless: I can see coming back to it in another ten years and still finding it short of its peak."

98 Points

International Wine Cellar

"Retains a youthful center of ripe plum, black cherry, wilted rose, black olive, sage and mineral flavors. Intense, balanced, focused and persistent, this is long on the finish."

96 Points

Wine Spectator