Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Fabulous floral aromas of currants, flowers, stones and rosemary stem. Purity. Full body with a fabulous backbone of chewy tannins with a gorgeous austerity. Elegance with power.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
More dense, tannic, complex and fuller-bodied thatn Harlan's 2011 The Maiden is the 2011 Harlan Estate. Its plum/purple color is followed by a sweet perfume of camphor, blackcurrants, lead pencil shavings, Christmas fruitcake and hints of forest floor and underbrush. Deep, round and generous with silky tannins and a forward, evolved style, this beauty should drink well for 15-18 years.
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Wine Spectator
A powerful expression of Cabernet reminiscent of a young Ausone, this is dense, extracted, layered and nuanced, showing fresh earth and rocky soil notes. Once past the chewiness, the ripe currant, plum and wild berry flavors persist. Drink now through 2024.
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.