"These wines possess all the elements of greatness - individuality, power combined with elegance, extraordinary complexity, remarkable aging potential, and compelling richness without ponderousness." — Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The wines of Harlan Estate have long been revered as some of the most ageworthy, Cabernet-based wines in Napa Valley.
It all started when H. William “Bill” Harlan released both the 1990 and 1991 vintages of Harlan Estate simultaneously. The inaugural release was a defining moment in the history of Napa Valley, as the wine (and the property from which it’s made) is largely considered to be responsible for securing Napa’s position among the world’s top wine regions.
Harlan Estate winery & vineyards, looking northwest from upper olive grove
Harlan took influence from the First Growths of Bordeaux and set out to achieve similar, if not better results, in the western hills of Oakville. The property that is Harlan Estate today was originally purchased by Bill in 1984. For what was then a wild and uncultivated swath of land, Harlan brought in expert vineyard developer David Abreu to carve out the first 6 acres of Merlot in 1985. Subsequent years saw structural additions to the property as well as additions to the vineyard land.
Today, the estate totals 240 acres with 40 acres under vine – 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. As the original Merlot vines were planted on AxR-1 and required replanting in 1999, the oldest vines on the property currently date to 1986.
 An aerial view of Harlan Estate
Each Fall, grapes are harvested in small lots and extensively sorted in the winery. Fruit is fermented in small wood fermenters, a quarter of which are new each year. Harlan relies exclusively on native yeast for their fermentation. Once fermentation is complete, the wine is left on its skins for another 3-5 months, and then aged for 24-30 months in new French oak.
Since 1995, Harlan has produced a second label called The Maiden. Once the blend for Harlan Estate is assembled, The Maiden is produced from the best of the remaining barrels. The Maiden is generally composed of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25.5% Cabernet Franc, 18.5% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot. Both wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Harlan would go on to add another project to his domain, this time with the vision of emulating a more Burgundian-style model. In 1999, BOND launched with three wines – the single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon bottlings Melbury and Vecina, and the second-label Matriarch. These wines were followed by St. Eden in 2001, Pluribus in 2003, and Quella in 2006. Each BOND bottling is produced from a different vineyard in Napa Valley and is always 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.
BOND Estate Plaza
Vecina, Spanish for “neighbor,” is a distinctive parcel within a much larger vineyard (Vine Hill Ranch) located just southeast of Harlan Estate.
Melbury, a reference to the vineyard owner’s primary residence on Melbury Road in London, is located along one of the lower slopes on the southern end of Howell Mountain.
St. Eden, a reference to a long-forgotten historic name for this slice of Napa, is the only BOND vineyard site that isn’t technically on a hillside. Its 11 acres of vines are planted along a knoll that rises out of the valley floor in eastern Oakville.
Pluribus is located high on Spring Mountain, at around 1,100 feet elevation, and Quella is located within Spring Valley. A small canyon in the Vaca Range located due east of St. Helena, Spring Valley is perhaps best known as the home of Joseph Phelps Vineyards.
Harlan Fermentation Room
Today, we are excited to present Mayacama members with a rare opportunity to access Library vintages of Harlan Estate, BOND, The Maiden, and Matriarch.
All bottles were purchased directly from the winery at the time of their release and have been kept in optimal storage conditions with the original wax paper still wrapped around each and every bottle.
There are limited amounts of each wine available, and so all serious collectors of cult Napa Valley Cabernet should act quickly before this offer sells out.
As always, please feel free to let me know if you have any questions regarding these wines.
Thank you for your continued support.
Cheers!
Carey Vanderborg, Wine Director
THE WINES:
2003 Harlan Estate ($1,190/btl) - 2 Bottles Available
2004 Harlan Estate ($1,000/btl) - 5 Bottles Available
2005 Harlan Esate ($1,185/btl) - 5 Bottles Available
2003 Harlan The Maiden ($255/btl) - 2 Bottles Available
2004 Harlan The Maiden ($375/btl) - 6 Bottles Available
2002 Bond Melbury ($745/btl) - 1 Bottle Available
2003 Bond Melbury ($450/btl) - 3 Bottles Available
2004 Bond Melbury ($545/btl) - 2 Bottles Available
2005 Bond Melbury ($495/btl) - 1 Bottle Available
2002 Bond Vecina ($645/btl) - 1 Bottle Available
2003 Bond Vecina ($390/btl) - 3 Bottles Available
2004 Bond Vecina ($430/btl) - 3 Bottles Available
2005 Bond Vecina ($495/btl) - 1 Bottle Available
2003 Bond St. Eden ($499/btl) - 3 Bottles Available
2004 Bond St. Eden ($500/btl) - 3 Bottles Available
2005 Bond St. Eden ($515/btl) - 1 Bottle Available
2003 Bond Pluribus ($415/btl) - 3 Bottles Available
2004 Bond Pluribus ($545/btl) - 3 Bottles Available
2005 Bond Pluribus ($435/btl) - 1 Bottle Available
2001 Bond Matriarch ($200/btl) - 3 Bottles Available
2002 Bond Matriarch ($200/btl) - 3 Bottles Available
2003 Bond Matriarch ($175/btl) - 6 Bottles Available
2004 Bond Matriarch ($175/btl) - 3 Bottles Available
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