2003 & 2004 California Cabernet vintage ratings?

Question

I was wondering about Harlan Estate and how high of a score did the wines get? I know the price went way up.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: 100 points
"I believe the 2001 Harlan Estate and 2002 Harlan Estate’s 100 point scores represent the first time I have given perfect ratings to two successive wines produced in the New World

Answer 1

all 2003 just got very crappy ratings recently by wine spectator magazine.

According to the magazine, the 2003 vintage suffers from "uneven ripeness" and are "austere and tannic." Most 2003 wines averaged 5 to 8 points lower than their 2002 counterparts.

"California Cabernet Sauvignon drinkers are facing yet another challenging vintage with 2003," wrote critic James Laube. "The pool of outstanding wines is shallower than in either of the two preceding years, and the vintage overall is one of the weakest in the past decade and a half."

Answer 2

The 2003 Harlan Estate Cab received a Wine Spectator rating of 90 points from James Laube. The 2004 is still in barrel, with a barrel tasting score of 89-91 from Laube.

As for the vintages in general, Wine Spectator gives the 2003 vintage 85 points in Napa and 84 points in Sonoma. They describe it as "uneven ripeness; austere and tannic in style."

They gave the 2004 vintage 90-94 points in Napa and 85-89 points in Sonoma. "Small crop of ripe, fleshy wines early on;should be better than 03."

Answer 3

Ratings aren't everything. Harlan's best rating was on their 97' Proprietary Red wine which scored 100. The Maiden has scored in the 90's. The Harlan has gone up in price each year since 97'. If you buy anything buy the Proprietary Red and sit on it for awhile.