Harlan Estate 1999

"An exceptional wine. Fragrant, with plenty of plum, black cherry, cedar and spice aromas. On the palate, it’s silky smooth, elegant and fresh, yet packed with complex layers of blackberry, cassis, chocolate, coffee, anise, sage, thyme and cherry flavors. Marked by an exquisite textural elegance and harmonious balance, it displays a fine blend of firm, supple tannins and appropriate acidty that support great length on the finish. "

96 Points

Wine Enthusiast

"Good deep red-ruby. Sexy aromas of wild plum, violet, graphite and minerals, with captivating saline and baked bread nuances. Sweet on entry, then wonderfully bright and gripping in the middle palate, displaying very ripe plum and currant flavors complicated by wild herbs and a whiff of game. This boasts a lovely combination of sweetness of fruit and bracing acid spine. Finishes juicy and extremely long, with outstanding lift. Our first bottle was corked, so this replacement was poured without being decanted, and it was a treat watching it evolve with air.Rating: 96+"

96 Points

International Wine Cellar

"Taut and slow to unfold, with green and black olive, savory herb and mocha flavors, unfolding with layers of currant, plum, espresso bean and mineral, followed by an impressive finish. From a cool year.--Non-blind Harlan retrospective (2010). Drink now through 2022. 1,700 cases made."

95 Points

Wine Spectator

"Very deep garnet-black colour going brick at the rim. Complex, maturing nose with notes of warm blackberry, game, dried plums, moss, white pepper, Provence herbs and a whiff of iron ore. The palate reveals a concentrated, medium to full bodied wine balanced by medium acidity and a medium to firm level of velvety tannins. Very long finish departing with lingering savoury and mineral flavours. Drink now to 2018. Tasted November 2008."

94 Points

The Wine Advocate