Harlan Estate   Proprietary Red

2006 Proprietary Red

By Harlan Estate

2006 Proprietary Red from Harlan Estate

When it comes to exquisite Californian winemaking, a stellar name that resonates with every fine wine connoisseur is Harlan Estate. Indeed, the 2006 Proprietary Red from Harlan Estate distills the essence of Napa Valley winemaking into a ground-breaking testament to unerring quality and verve.

 

A vintage that captures time and terroir

The 2006 Proprietary Red marries opulence with sophistication. The vintage had experienced fluctuating cool and warm spells, ushering in a mix of concentrated aromas, complex flavor structures and fierce tannins. These climatic vagaries are imprinted on the wine’s character, marking the vintage as truly distinctive.

This signature blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc unfurls a tantalizing palate of ripe berries and plums. Its generous mouthfeel is anchored by structured tannins that are well integrated into an orchestra of flavors.

 

Exceptional depth, an investment to anticipate

The 2006 Proprietary Red from Harlan Estate exudes exceptional depth - a testament to its extraordinary cellaring potential. A strategic blend of power and elegance, it stands as a brilliant representation of the fruits yielded by this Napa Valley giant during the said year.

Investors continue to seek out these distinct vintages for their fine wines portfolios. The 2006 Proprietary Red represents an emblematic expression of Californian viticulture and a lucrative avenue for those who appreciate nuanced investment opportunities.

 

An enduring legacy enshrined in amber

For four decades, Harlan Estate has demonstrated impeccable finesse in crafting wines par excellence. The 2006 Proprietary Red is no exception - a tribute to the nobility of Napa's terroir, cradled in the heart of Oakville.

Altogether, the 2006 Proprietary Red emerges as a vibrant epitome of Harlan Estate's exquisite endeavor - a wine that splendidly inherits its estate’s legacy, capturing the very spirit of Californian winemaking at its apogee.

Current market price

£14,700.00

12x75cl

Highest score

96

POP score

918.75

Scores and tasting notes

96

The 2006 Harlan Estate has turned out better than I originally predicted. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by classic aromas of creme de cassis, melted licorice, smoked meats, burning embers, and graphite. It has thrown off some of the tannic clout it displayed last year, revealing great balance. A candidate for “wine of the vintage,” this dense, full-bodied effort has 25+ years of life ahead of it. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2035. This extraordinary estate, run by Bill Harlan, has never had either a shortage of ambition or patience. Harlan originally had his wines made elsewhere, but never found the resulting product up to his standards until his home vineyard, high on the western hills of the Oakville Corridor, hit an acceptable level of quality, which turned out to be in 1990. In October, I did a vertical tasting of every Harlan Estate vintage made (which I will report on at a future date), and one thing that was clear is just how extraordinary these wines are, and how well they are aging. Even in California’s lighter, more challenging years, Harlan turned out wines that anyone would be happy to own and consume. The newest offerings include two vintages of The Maiden essentially their second wine, and the flagship Harlan Estate fewer than 2,000 cases produced. Tel. (707) 944-1441; Fax (707) 944-1444

Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 21 December 2009

Vintage performance