2006 Harlan Estate Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend

“Intense aromas of black pepper, blueberry, blackberry, tar, and black licorice. Full bodied, with amazing length and a toned muscular character. This lasts for minutes. Like a world class ballerina. It is held back and beautiful.” (04/2011)

“Subdued but pure and vibrant nose offers black raspberry, minerals, licorice and truffle, all lifted by an ineffable perfume that carries through on the palate. Boasts terrific definition and energy; following the group of Bond offerings from '06, this tasted like a wine from another vintage. Very intensely flavored but wonderfully refined wine, with a light touch to its slowly mounting, highly complex flavors of dark fruits, spices, minerals, tobacco and spices. A wine of great finesse, finishing with superb tannins and outstanding lift. This wine has been a knockout from the outset. (ST)” (05/2009)

“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. (RP)” (12/2009)

“Here's a big, flashy, cult-style wine if ever there was one. It offers masses of blackberries, black currants, coffee, spices and new oak. Vastly rich, it defines the Harlan Estate style, although, in this vintage, perhaps not quite at its highest expression. Nonetheless the wine is fat and unctuous and immediately drinkable, thanks to refined tannins. *Cellar Selection*” (04/2010)

“Long growing season and 60 days of skin maceration. Very good acid and tannin levels made for a very tight wine on release. Extremely concentrated crimson still! Really rather gorgeous! Opulent but not hot or heavy. Inky-pure. At a lovely stage for starting to drink. Sleek, polished and gorgeous. Really lovely. Long, fresh and luscious but with a suitably dry finish for a Cabernet Sauvignon. 19/20 points (JR)” (11/2024)