94 pts - Wine Advocate
Very deep garnet-black colour going brick at the rim. Complex, maturing nose with notes of warm blackberry, game, dried plums, moss, white pepper, Provence herbs and a whiff of iron ore. The palate reveals a concentrated, medium to full bodied wine balanced by medium acidity and a medium to firm level of velvety tannins. Very long finish departing with lingering savoury and mineral flavours. Drink now to 2018. Tasted November 2008. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown
97 pts - Wine Spectator
Enormously complex, rich and concentrated, with layers of currant, black cherry, blackberry and chocolate-mocha flavors that are intense and focused, finishing with a long, detailed aftertaste that keeps revealing extra facets of flavor and depth. Best from 2004 through 2020. 1,700 cases made. âJL WS
96 pts - Vinous
Full medium ruby. Superripe, deep nose offers currant, plum, black cherry, truffle, smoke, meat and cedary spices. A wine of great sweetness and flavor intensity; remarkably suave in spite of its great solidity. Offers an almost liqueur-like ripeness and great density but sound acids keep the wine lively. Palate-staining aftertaste features substantial tongue-dusting but fine tannins. As extraordinary as the nearly confectionery, more roasted Harlan Estate '97 is, this wine may well have more verve.- Stephen Tanzer (5/22)