Harlan Estate, Napa Valley Red Wine 2022

This wine is incredibly perfumed and earthy, with a neon-bright, electric fruit character that seems to pulse with aromatic energy. It lures you in, revealing subtle layers of pure Bing cherry, plum, and cassis, intertwined with violets and firm, seamlessly interconnected tannins. These tannins are almost elliptical—sleek and structured at the edges, yet supple and expansive on the mid-palate. Framed by intensely warm earth tones, the wine is lifted by violet pastille and unsmoked tobacco, leading to an everlasting finish. There’s an incredible freshness and tension, and compared to 2021, despite the earlier harvest, the clarity, generosity, and crunch of the bright fruit stand out. Arguably hedonistic, but in the way a masterful piece of art captivates—think a Caravaggio masterpiece, where richness and depth are layered with precision and focus. Seamless, compelling, and utterly complete. Winemaker Cory Empting highlights that despite 2022 being another drought year, the 7 inches of rain in October 2021 gave the vines a strong root flush before dormancy. By spring, with temperate conditions, they awakened with stored energy and grew with ease—a remarkable outcome for the third year of drought. The tannins and the wine’s striking balance reflect this vibrancy and preserved vine energy. (Drink between 2025-2045)