Harlan Estate Napa Valley 2020

Category:
 
Red Wines
Sub-Category:  
 
Red Wines
Producer:
 
Harlan Estate
Label Name:
 
Napa Valley
Vintage:
 
2020
Country:
 
United States
Region:
 
Oakville, Napa Valley, California
Volume:
 
750ml
ABV:
 
14.5%
Grape(s):
 
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
Acidity:
 
4
Tannins:
 
4
Sweetness:
 
1
Body:
 
5
Length:
 
5
Aroma Intensity:
 
5
Best Temperature:
 
16-18°C

Awards/Ratings
Antonio Galloni (Vinous) 95; Decanter (Jonathan Cristaldi) 99; The Wine Independent (Lisa Perrotti-Brown) 100; James Suckling 99; Jeb Dunnuck 94; Producer awards include Golden Vines Best Fine Wine Producer (Americas) 2024–2025

Tasting Note
Opulent dark-fruit core—blackcurrant, black cherry and plum—layered with cedar, tobacco, violets, dark chocolate and graphite. Polished, fine-grained tannins, bright acidity and a long, mineral-tinged finish.

Food Pairing
Western: grilled ribeye, roast lamb, braised short ribs, aged hard cheeses, truffle pasta. Asian: Peking duck, Korean BBQ (bulgogi/short ribs), beef teriyaki, char siu; also pairs with umami-rich mushroom dishes.

Production Method
Hand-harvested, parcel-sorted fruit; small-batch fermentations with extended maceration; malolactic fermentation in barrel; aged ~18–24 months in predominantly new French oak; minimal fining/limited filtration.

Vineyard Info
Founded by Bill Harlan (1984). Estate on western Oakville hills (~240 acres, ~40 planted) producing a Cabernet-dominant Bordeaux-style wine with low yields, dry-farmed blocks and a long-term vine management program.