Harlan Estate   Proprietary Red

2004 Proprietary Red

By Harlan Estate

2004 Proprietary Red by Harlan Estate, Napa Valley, USA

The 2004 Proprietary Red from Harlan Estate is a harmonious brushstroke on the canvas of fine wines from the USA. Harlan's reputation as an archetype of impeccable wine-making is rightfully elevated by this deftly crafted piece.

 

A portfolio-defining vintage

Within the compendium of distinguished vintages, there are few that rival the subtlety and dedication represented in the 2004 Proprietary Red. As a beacon of American vintners' skill, it captivates the hearts of connoisseurs and investors alike.

This full-bodied Napa Valley's iconic cuvée enchants one with its delicate blend of silky tannins, balanced acidity, and opulent fruit character, ensuring it to be irreplaceable in any serious portfolio.

 

Pertinence in the realm of climate and terroir

The year 2004 was undoubtedly an excellent season for Napa, marked by a near-perfect balance of sun and rain. The expertise of the crew at Harlan Estate shone in their ability to encapsulate the climatic conditions into a wine that tells a enduring tale of its remarkable terroir.

The result is an elegant bouquet of blackcurrant, cedar wood, forest floor, and subtle spices. Offering a dense ruby/purple colour and a bouquet that reveals the unique thumbprint of its home turf; this vintage stays loyal to Harlan's enduring pursuit of achieving elegance within power.

 

Exceptional stewardship, Wise investment

Seeking to bolster one’s portfolio depth with prime selections from renowned regions is an intelligent move. The 2004 Proprietary Red is a veritable fortress in the landscape of fine wine investment, its enduring desirability promising steady appreciation.

This wine is a testament to Harlan Estate's audacity to explore the boundaries of Napa's potential and proof of their graceful stewardship of the land. As such, it serves as a pivotal investment piece for those who appreciate the confluence of fine wine, nature, and financial wisdom.

Current market price

£10,500.00

12x75cl

Highest score

98

POP score

583.33

Scores and tasting notes

98

Another rating identical to that which was given in 2007 (when first tasted from bottle), the 2004 Harlan Estate is performing essentially the way I suggested in 2007 as it is one of the more precocious and accessible of the Harlan Estate wines to date. A great showing at this retrospective, this wine, which seems like a hypothetical blend of a Pauillac, St.-Estephe and Graves, represents around 1,500 cases from 40 acres of beautifully manicured hillside vineyards overlooking Oakville. Still dense purple to the rim, with notes of creme de cassis, charcoal, blackberry and sweet toast, the wine is full-bodied and voluptuously textured with the tannins largely resolved. But the density and richness suggest this wine can go a long, long way, even though the window for drinking it seems open and inviting already. A world-class, first-growth wine if there ever was one from Napa, this is simply an exquisite Harlan Estate that has atypically reached mid to late adolescence at the age of ten. That is great given the fact that these are 30- to 40-year wines – possibly even half-century wines. Drink it over the next 30 years. Tel. (707) 944-1441; Fax (707) 944-1444

Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 29 April 2014

Vintage performance