TN: 1997 Maiden and Harlan Estate

WINE TALK
1

I’ve been reading a lot about the 1997 Harlan recently and thought I would crack my last bottle of the Estate and Maiden to see what all the racket is about. Admittedly, I’ve really liked these wines in the past and I spent a small fortune off the mailing list in past years so I certainly have a vested interest.

I had my wife pick up some killer ribeye’s from The Beef Palace here in Huntington Beach yesterday in preparation for the occasion. I opened both bottles about 5:30pm and let them breathe for about 30 minutes before the first glass:

Maiden: Deep garnet color with pleasant aromas of currant, blackberry, raspberry, graphite, cedar, and a bit of smoke. Lots of depth, power, and a touch of port like texture and finish. A higher percentage of Cab Franc here? Went well with the steak and has a few years left. 92 points.

Estate: Totally different animal. Immediately very fruit forward, almost a bizarre mix of black cherry liquor and anise. This is still a massive wine that walks a very fine line of VA, being over ripe/pruny or a bit stewed in my opinion. Still layers of tannin that don’t intrude or are unpleasant in any way but the underlying “sweetness” and balance are not in my wheelhouse. I’m not sure this will get any better but I’m glad this is my last of the 1997 Harlan’s. 88 points and I much prefer the Maiden.

Cheers

2

Exactly! but it didn’t from barrel!

3

Too bad you didn’t save any of either to send to Will for analysis.

I however will still do my best this weekend to wrangle a bottle out of somebody.

4

Sounds like a better bottle than the one we had a couple years ago, that was worst than that QC Merlot we still talk about.

5

Phillip, that note sounds like the first bottle i opened. The next two were horse manures of a totally different color.
headbang pileon [bullshit.gif]

Phil, it looks like your TN over there was merged into the closed RMP 97 Harlan file. No friggin sense of humor. flirtysmile deadhorse hitsfan