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Luczy: a chat with Bill Harlan – and six wines back to 1992

Bill Harlan was a man with a 200-year plan when he set out his vision for creating a Bordeaux first-growth equivalent in Napa more than four decades ago. Matthew Luczy catches up with this California wine visionary and tastes six vintages of the iconic Harlan Estate.

At what point in your career can you rightfully be called a visionary? And how many slots are still open for such a title in already-established wine regions? Setting goals that arch out over hundreds of years is a lofty endeavour, with countless opportunities to falter or go off course.

Anyone looking to witness even a sliver of a similar trajectory must have a will, drive and vision that is insatiable, unstoppable – and well-funded. One figure that has checked all the necessary boxes to set such a plan in motion is Bill Harlan.


Scroll down for Matthew Luczy’s tasting notes of six vintages of Harlan, back to 1992



Harlan Estate: six vintages, back to 1992


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