One of the most backward yet promising wines of the vintage is the 2003 Harlan Estate. Its dense opaque plum/purple color is accompanied by a sumptuous bouquet of graphite, camphor, creme de cassis, smoky barbecue wood and a hint of forest floor. Similar flavors hit the mouth with full-bodied splendor, a multidimensional mouthfeel and texture, and the sensational finish lasts more than 45 seconds. Some tannins are still present, and this wine seems much younger than expected at ten years of age, so give it 4-5 more years of bottle age and consume it over the following 20-25 years. One of the most stunningly beautiful vineyards in all of Napa Valley, Harlan Estate is located in the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains overlooking the Oakville Corridor. Harlan has been making world-class, first growth quality wines since the debut vintages of 1990 and 1991. Virtually nothing has been changed by winemaker Bob Levy, owner Bill Harlan and globe-trotting consultant Michel Rolland. The wine is largely all Cabernet Sauvignon and the production from the 40-acre vineyard is usually under 2,000 cases. The vineyard has a surprising composition of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Most blends lean heavily on the Cabernet Sauvignon with slightly more Cabernet Franc being utilized over recent vintages. Following the great 2001 and 2002 vintages, 2003 is the type of vintage that has a tendency to be forgotten, but the two 2003s prove that the site’s great pedigree is never easy to dismiss. Tel. (707) 944-1441

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 26/12/2006 The bottled 2003 Harlan Estate is as good or even better than I had hoped. With a dark ruby/purple color, silky tannin, and abundant quantities of licorice, graphite, chocolate, espresso, black currant, truffle, and earthy characteristics, it comes across like a hypothetical blend of a top-notch Pauillac and Graves. Superb texture, low acidity, and gorgeous purity as well as richness suggest it will drink well for two decades or more. Very deep garnet-black colour with a purple rim. Comparably simpler, fruit-forward nose with aromas of blackberry and warm cassis plus a touch of star anise. Very big, ultra-full-bodied style of wine comes through on the palate, though the finely grained, firm tannins and decent backbone of medium to high acid remain a constant with this estate. Long, slightly hot finish. Drink now to 2020. Tasted November 2008. (92)

Full ruby. Knockout nose combines black raspberry, Tellicherry pepper, musky tobacco and a floral topnote. Hugely concentrated and broad, with slightly lower-toned and less sweet flavors than the incredible 2002. Deep black fruit flavors are complicated by saline and minty nuances. Finishes with big, youthfully rough tannins that should be further refined during the wine's last 9 or 10 mont hs in barrel.

The 2003 Harlan Estate is a huge, almost over the top beauty that doesn’t hold anything back in its deep plum and currant fruits, cedar, toasty oak and licorice aromas and flavors. With full-bodied richness, a sweet, massive texture and a big finish, it stays nicely balanced and enjoyable but has a dry, slightly rustic edge to its tannin that will need to be watched going forward.

The 2003 ranks as one of the less successful Harlan Estates of the last decade, with a bouquet of ripe blackberry that struggles to contain its heavy overlay of new oak: mocha, coffee, tar and spice. On the palate the wine is somewhat confected and diffuse. A swing and a miss from this normally very consistent producer.

Magnum. 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, remainder: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot. The 2003 stands out as the most evolved of the wines so far. Aromatics move to a bit more of a dusty presence with tobacco leaf and pipe tobacco, and floral elements emerging with air. A pleasant wine if not quite as complex or as elegant as most of the other vintages. Delicious through the lengthy finish. (ECB)