Harlan Estate Napa Valley 2007

100 points Robert Parker: "The prodigious 2007 Harlan Estate reminds me of a hypothetical blend of the 2002 with a touch of the controversial 1997. Dense plum/purple-colored with sweet aromas of barbecue smoke, blueberries, blackberries, cassis, licorice, hot rocks and subtle oak, it is a splendidly opulent, pure wine with a skyscraper-like texture as well as stunningly deep fruit that expands gracefully across the palate. The finish lasts nearly a full minute. Because of its overwhelming richness and sweet tannins, this brilliant wine seems to be approachable now, but I suspect further nuances and complexity will emerge after 4-5 years in the bottle. This wine will still be going strong at age 25-30. Like the offerings from its sister estate, Bond, these Harlan Estate offerings are uncompromisingly brilliant examples of Napa viticulture and winemaking at its finest. Kudos to proprietor Bill Harlan. (Dec 2010)"

98 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2007 Harlan Estate is fabulous. Explosive and dense, with tremendous persistence, the 2007 has all of the opulence and raciness that makes the wines from this vintage so distinctive. Scents of tobacco, leather and mocha develop in the glass, but above all else, the 2007 is a wine of sumptuous richness. It will continue to deliver considerable pleasure over the next two decades or so. What a wine! Empting describes 2007 as a warm, but not excessively hot, year with a long growing season. The wines presented naturally high dry extracts. Because of that, Levy and Empting opted for macerations that were a bit longer than usual. Drink: 2017-2032. (Sep 2017)"

97 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Good deep ruby-red. Knockout nose combines dark berries, graphite, cedar and flowers. The palate offers uncanny clarity and depth of flavor, combining elegance and density in the way of a great grand cru site. Wonderful energy here, as well as inner-palate floral lift. A great vintage for Harlan Estate, with nothing overdone about it. Incidentally, I had the opportunity to taste every vintage of Harlan Estate in an extraordinary vertical tasting on this visit, and this 2007 was as strong as any wine to date from outstanding property estate. (May/Jun 2010)"

97 points James Suckling: "Heavy aromas of sweet tobacco, coffee, ripe fruits, violets, and dried flowers. Full bodied, and very, very powerful. This is muscular yet agile. The finish is subtle and fruity, with minerals, mint, and currants. A blockbuster. Keep your hands off this until 2016. (2/11/11)"

96 points Wine Spectator: "Intense and a bit rustic, with complex loamy earth, dried currant, black licorice, mocha, roasted herb, porcini and toasty oak. Full-bodied and balanced, deep, focused and persistent, ending with pebbly, minerally notes and firm tannins. To be released spring 2011. Best from 2012 through 2024. 1,370 cases made. (10/15/10)"