Description
Critical Acclaim
100 points Wine Advocate
This wine, which first debuted in 1990, has probably garnered more perfect scores than any other Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2001 is just entering a young adolescent stage of development, exhibiting extraordinary nuances such as sweet, loamy soil and earthy minerality intermixed with some background smoke, black currant liqueur, plum, Asian spice and new saddle leather. Full-bodied, it possesses great intensity, with stunning flavors that are viscous enough to coat the mouth, but never become heavy or overbearing. The wine has a remarkable purity, concentration and intensity that should carry it for another 30+ years. This is already very promising, and for those who own it, I would suggest a good two to three hours of decanting prior to service. (RP, 06/2011)
98 points Vinous
The 2001 Harlan Estate is in a great spot today. Though fully mature, the 2001 retains terrific energy and focus. Bright acids lend surprising vibrancy and energy throughout. Hints of tobacco, cedar, leather and dried herbs add nuance as well as complexity. This is the first vintage made at the current Harlan Estate winery. A spine of tannin supports the long, focused finish. Readers can look forward to another decade of very fine drinking. The 2001 is absolutely gorgeous today. (AG, 04/2023)
97 points Wine Spectator
Firm and intense, with gripping tannins wrapped around dark berry, black licorice, graphite, cedar and tar. Slow to unfold but does so impressively, gaining strength, depth and vitality. *Collectible* (JL, 10/2011)
96 points Decanter
By the 2001 vintage, the vines at Harlan Estate were entering their 17th year of life and adapting to the method of dry farming that Bob Levy was working on. Average winter rains, a warm May and June, preceded a cool July when temperatures picked up, but by September, they’d fallen into the upper 21°Cs for almost three weeks. Harvest had begun and then stopped to allow for more ripening, and was eventually finished by 4 October. Yields were a paltry 1.5 acres per ton (around 26.25hl/ha). At 22 years it was pure, exotic, contemplative, heady, and expressive. Everything is in balance. A tightly knit Cabernet Sauvignon with rich black currant and blackberry fruits, beautifully turned and loamy soil, gorgeous expressions of garrigue and mint, plump yet firm tannins, and a forever finish. A marvel of wine, in its prime drinking window, but ready to wow over the next two or three decades. (JC, 06/2023)
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