Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
The purity of black fruit, black currants and blackberry is impressive, yet it remains subdued. Floral, ripe tobacco. Turns to spices such as cloves and Cameroon green pepper. Full-bodied, tight and compressed. Powerful yet polished and refined. The best Maiden ever. A blend of mostly cabernet sauvignon and merlot.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
More serious and concentrated, bigger and denser, the 2013 The Maiden is one of the strongest efforts, and possibly the best Maiden tasted to date. Deep, with mulberry and blackberry fruit, some cedarwood, and terrific opulence, this is a stunner and a wine to drink over the next 20 or more years.
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Wine Spectator
The 2013 The Maiden is gorgeous. Deep, fleshy and expressive, but very much medium in body, the 2013 is pure finesse. Sweet floral and spice notes add attractive upper register, but it is the wine's total sense of poise that truly stands out. The Maiden is another recent wine from Harlan Estate that reflects a move towards greater finesse. The 2013 is an absolutely exquisite Maiden.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
Home to some of the most sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon in America, Napa Valley’s Oakville district stretches across the center of Napa's valley floor and foothills between the Vaca and Mayacamas Mountains. This AVA is home to the legendary To Kalon Vineyard and Martha's Vineyard, as well as many powerhouse wineries including Screaming Eagle, Silver Oak, Robert Mondavi, Opus One, Far Niente and Groth.
The climate is generally warm and agreeable, resulting in year after year of favorable vintages. Summer days see a gentle tug of war between warmer inland air and the cool air coming in from the San Pablo Bay, creating an ideal environment to grow red varieties. Oakville's diverse soils, namely ancient sea bedrock, clay and gravel, are well-drained, and perfect for high-caliber viticulture.
Cabernet here is often bottled varietally but is also popular in Bordeaux Blends. Oakville wines are known for their silky, sensual textures, structured tannins, dark and brooding fruit and lovely aromatics. These age-worthy and prestigious wines are favored by collectors throughout the world.