Bill Harlan's fabled hillside vineyard has become, since 1991, one of the greatest names in the wine world. Massive, decadent. Opens with extraordinary.

Sweet, deep black currant fruit, espresso, licorice, graphite, and earth aromas emerge from the dense, ruby/purple-colored 2002 The Maiden, which cascades over the palate without a hard edge. Like…

"Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 The Maiden opens with beautiful red currant jelly, warm plums and blackberry pie notes plus hints of rose oil, Chinese five spice and fragrant earth. The palate…

This has a solid, grippy edge from the start, with cast iron and warm stone accents guiding the core of steeped black currant and blackberry paste flavors along. Nice sage, sassafras and tobacco…

"This has a steady tug of warm earth throughout, along with tobacco and tar accents, while black currant and fig fruit stay tightly held at the core. Shows nice underlying energy, with rippling…

"Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 The Maiden is a little closed to begin, giving way to notes of crushed blackberries, fresh blackcurrants, warm plums and black pepper with hints of tobacco,…

The brightness and vivid fruit character here is so very impressive. Medium to full body. Firm and silky tannins. Extremely long and linear with a gorgeous finish. I can't wait on this. Drink or hold.