Dark, exuberant ruby color with a slight hint of purple. The nose is just heavenly (reminded me of Grace Kelly's) and shows a perfect integration of earth-, flower-, fruit- and oak-derived scents. The palate (front, mid and back) of this well structured wine would probably make the "so called" premier Bordeaux vineyards and winemakers purple with envy, since they are unable to produce anything that remotely resembles this baby. My guess is that the Harlan Estate people pay extreme attention to detail and quality control, something that their french counterparts seem to be not willing to do. I tasted the Maiden approximately three days after it was delivered and its perfection only proved to me that the dogma of shipping-induced wine shock is just that, a dogma. The finish lasts for well over 50 seconds.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Harlan Estate, The Maiden 2004 - 5 points
Dark, exuberant ruby color with a slight hint of purple. The nose is just heavenly (reminded me of Grace Kelly's) and shows a perfect integration of earth-, flower-, fruit- and oak-derived scents. The palate (front, mid and back) of this well structured wine would probably make the "so called" premier Bordeaux vineyards and winemakers purple with envy, since they are unable to produce anything that remotely resembles this baby. My guess is that the Harlan Estate people pay extreme attention to detail and quality control, something that their french counterparts seem to be not willing to do. I tasted the Maiden approximately three days after it was delivered and its perfection only proved to me that the dogma of shipping-induced wine shock is just that, a dogma. The finish lasts for well over 50 seconds.
This is coming from the guy who blamed travel shock for 2003 not being as good as 2002 Maiden.
ReplyDeleteUncle Piroca, congratulations! Well -written, Robert Piroca (the new RP).
ReplyDeletePlease bring a Maiden six-pack for the next tasting...