2000 Proprietary Red
By Harlan Estate
The 2000 Proprietary Red from Harlan Estate, Region Needs Changing
Against the backdrop of the United States at the dawn of the new millennium, the Proprietary Red's vintage symbolises an extraordinary confluence of nature and winemaking prowess. A wine that proudly proclaims its roots, the 2000 Proprietary Red from the prestigious Harlan Estate is an undeniable testimony to the brilliance of American viticulture.
Turn of the Century Triumph
The allure of this vintage lies in its robust constitution. The year 2000 was a prime time for adventurous and daring experiments in vineyards across America. This wine bears distinct traces of this dynamic period. The 2000 vintage envelops you with potent notes of ripe plum, blackcurrant, and tantalising hints of tobacco and spice.
Perfectly Poised Balance
The true geniality of this wine reveals itself in its remarkable balance. An orchestra led by vibrant fruit notes and perfectly supported by a sonorous backbone of fine-grained tannins. The complementary nuances of vanilla and toasted oak reward you with an opulent finish that is both sensual and enduring.
An Investment Worthy Vintage
In the ever-evolving world of fine wines from USA, The 2000 Proprietary Red from Harlan Estate stands as a proven investment choice, combining the appeal of New World exuberance with Old World finesse. This titanic blend, simmering with elegance and evocative depth, is an ambitious offering to consider for your portfolio.
A touch arcane yet resoundingly expressive, the 2000 Proprietary Red exemplifies Harlan Estate's reputation for creating richly nuanced wines. Emanating character and personality from every pore, this vintage brings forth a progressively refined embodiment of what has become the Harlan Estate legacy.
If you seek a potent expression of American wine iconography and a vintage that can magnificently encapsulate the evolution of the American wine landscape, look no further than the 2000 Proprietary Red from Harlan Estate. As much an investment for your cellar as it is a landmark in your collection, this unique elixir promises to reward both your palate and your portfolio.
Market price (GBP)
£9,990.00
12x75cl
Highest score
91
POP score
908.18
Scores and tasting notes
I have never been totally convinced by the 2000 Harlan Estate, but now that it’s in bottle, it is a very fine offering. The problem is that it must be compared with the other Harlan Estate wines made to date. A Graves-like perfume of roasted coffee, scorched earth, black currants, cedar, and a hint of menthol emerge from this dense dark ruby/purple-colored 2000. Lighter than normal, but medium to full-bodied and elegant, with soft tannin as well as a silky, precocious personality and texture, it can be drunk now and over the next 12 years. Harlan Estate and its perfectionist owner, Bill Harlan, who is backed up by the peerless team of Michel Rolland and Bob Levy, is truly an estate of monumental aspirations that more often than not hits the proverbial bull’s eye. None of the wines produced since 1990 has yet reached full maturity. While the 2000 is their lightest vintage to date, it is no wimpy wine. As I have written so many times before, what makes Harlan such a singular tasting experience is that while it is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated offering from the hillsides above the Oakville Corridor, and it obviously has the power and extraordinary ripeness afforded by Napa Valley’s favorable viticultural climate, it has a degree of complexity that is only shared by a handful of other California Cabernet-based wines, and the finest Bordeaux. Harlan Estate represents exactly what a genius owner, who suffers no fools, and refuses to make any compromises, is capable of achieving ... is that a surprise? Tel. (707) 944-1441; Fax (707) 944-1444
Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 22 December 2003