2014 Harlan Estate Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend (OWC)

“The pure fruit is incredible with a dark-fruit and blackberry character. Some sous bois but also shows clarity and finesse. Full body and super fine tannins. Tight and so pretty. A classy and fine Harlan.” (05/2018)

“The deep garnet-purple colored 2014 Proprietary Red Wine offers up subtle cassis, black cherries and crushed blackberries notes with tons of savory and earthy layers: forest floor, black soil, charcoal and dried herbs, plus wafts of violets and rare beef. Full-bodied and built like a brick house in the mouth, it has loads of tense, muscular fruit with many layers of earth, savory and spice nuances emerging, finishing with epic length. (LPB)” (10/2017)

“The 2014 Harlan Estate is a gorgeous wine that portends the more linear, vibrant style that has become the norm here in recent years. Red cherry, plum, mocha, graphite, lavender and rose petal unfurl in the glass. There's a bit of oak tannin that's not really an issue, but it does stand out next to the overall feel of the most recent vintages that preceded it in this tasting. The 2014 Harlan Estate is a gorgeous, alluring wine that will delight readers lucky enough to own it. Superb. (AG)” (01/2025)

“This is a fully formed and fully modern expression of Oakville, brimming with unadulterated cassis, plum reduction and blackberry confiture flavors that are still quite youthful, while a beautiful mix of black licorice, alder smoke, chestnut, sweet bay and black tea notes creeps in slowly. There's a beautiful polish on the finish, where the fruit continues to hold court -- so much so that you might almost miss the cast iron echo that lingers at the very end. -- Blind 2014 California Cabernet retrospective (June 2024). Drink now through 2042. (Jm)” (09/2024)

“Deeper and richer than the Maiden cuvee, the 2014 Harlan Estate offers the classic black fruits, charcoal, and minerality that’s the hallmark of this iconic estate. It shows more floral notes with time in the glass, has full-bodied richness, a sexy, supple, regal personality, no hard edges, and gorgeous purity of fruit. It’s certainly more approachable than the 2015, yet is still going to benefit from 3-4 years of bottle age and keep for two decades.” (12/2017)

“Aromas of red and black fruit, rich spice, cocoa powder and Harlan's signature of baked earth and dried herbs. The 2014 is a rich, layered wine with lovely tension and focus, and a resonatingly savoury finish. If the 2013 Harlan evokes more Rubenesque vintages such as 2001 or 2002, the 2014 transports us back to years like 1995 and 1996. (WK)” (05/2017)

“Far more subdued on the nose and palate than the 2015 and 2016, the 2014 feels as though it has stepped into an introspective phase and would be best left to meditate for several more years before opening. That said, there is plenty to appreciate about this wine and it will no doubt have plenty to offer when it has re-emerged after some more time in the cellar. After further discussion with the Harlan team, I established that the Estate wine tends to go into a more inward phase around the seven-year mark so the 2014 is consistent with that. If you do want to coax it out now, give it plenty of air upon opening and enjoy it slowly over the course of a meal. Firm black fruits set the stage for a shake of spiced cocoa powder, fresh mountain herbs and graphite notes. There is good harmony here. Supple tannin and good acidity. 17.5++/20 points (ECB)” (03/2020)