Promontory
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
Napa Valley, California, USA
Rick Stiles who hosted me is not only quite knowledgeable of Promontory, he also has an extensive career in the wine trade. He was nice enough to ask me if there was another vintage I’d wanted to taste. Given that he asked, I told him I really love the style of the well made Napa 2018’s. Then poof, we were tasting their 2018. At the conclusion of my tasting he also presented me a gift of the oil olive they make. Looking forward to trying it this weekend.
As for their 2018, it, like many 2018’s are showing very well at this point. This will benefit from another 5-7 plus yrs of cellaring and its window closes out around 2045-50.
The mouth entry is glorious. Rich, lush, ripe dark & red fruits, delicate tannins, soft everything; earth, mocha, dry herbs, spice, licorice dark chocolate, violets, perfect acidity extremely well balanced, soft tension & structure with an excellent long finish that lingers minutes.
Add another point or two when it hits it precipice.
Rick and I tasted their 2023 from oak vat. It is excellent and will merit a 💯 points from likely all or most critics. The 23 will remain in vat until June and then released for purchase in 2027.
Tasted at the winery 1/14/25.
Rick Stiles who hosted me is not only quite knowledgeable of Promontory, he also has an extensive career in the wine trade. He was nice enough to ask me if there was another vintage I’d wanted to taste. Given that he asked, I told him I really love the style of the well made Napa 2018’s. Then poof, we were tasting their 2018. At the conclusion of my tasting he also presented me a gift of the oil olive they make. Looking forward to trying it this weekend.
As for their 2018, it, like many 2018’s are showing very well at this point. This will benefit from another 5-7 plus yrs of cellaring and its window closes out around 2045-50.
The mouth entry is glorious. Rich, lush, ripe dark & red fruits, delicate tannins, soft everything; earth, mocha, dry herbs, spice, licorice dark chocolate, violets, perfect acidity extremely well balanced, soft tension & structure with an excellent long finish that lingers minutes.
Add another point or two when it hits it precipice.
Rick and I tasted their 2023 from oak vat. It is excellent and will merit a 💯 points from likely all or most critics. The 23 will remain in vat until June and then released for purchase in 2027.
Tasted at the winery 1/14/25.
Tasted at the winery 1/14/25.
I did not take realtime notes. However, while this shows some nice fruit and drinks easy, it was simply not up the with their better vintages. It lacks some of the complexity I’ve tasted in their other vintages.
The one thing I do enjoy about the Promontory is they do not use new wood. Their wines don’t show much wood at all. Their Cabernets begin their journey in half small-medium oak vats and the other half in concrete. Then, moved into large oak vats that are reused vintage in vintage out for about two decades. The elevage is generally around 36 months in Austrian oak…time in oak can change depending on the what the season brings. Then, held back roughly another year before released.
This 17 was unaffected by the fires as they were finished harvesting before the fires began. I always recommend cross referencing a producers harvest dates and dates of the fires. You will find some good wines and well priced at retail or the secondary markets because many will write off the entire vintage under those circumstances. Cross reference & you’ll find you’re rewarded.
Tasted at the winery 1/14/25.
I did not take realtime notes. However, while this shows some nice fruit and drinks easy, it was simply not up the with their better vintages. It lacks some of the complexity I’ve tasted in their other vintages.
The one thing I do enjoy about the Promontory is they do not use new wood. Their wines don’t show much wood at all. Their Cabernets begin their journey in half small-medium oak vats and the other half in concrete. Then, moved into large oak vats that are reused vintage in vintage out for about two decades. The elevage is generally around 36 months in Austrian oak…time in oak can change depending on the what the season brings. Then, held back roughly another year before released.
This 17 was unaffected by the fires as they were finished harvesting before the fires began. I always recommend cross referencing a producers harvest dates and dates of the fires. You will find some good wines and well priced at retail or the secondary markets because many will write off the entire vintage under those circumstances. Cross reference & you’ll find you’re rewarded.
The 2018 Promontory is as phenomenal as it has always been, but it, too is going through a period of reticence. This dark, brooding Cabernet is packed with character. Time in the glass brings out striking inner perfume and sweetness. There is a feeling of stark minimalism in the 2018 that I find compelling. Constantly changing in the glass, the 2018 is a magical, exquisite Cabernet Sauvignon.
The 2018 Promontory is as phenomenal as it has always been, but it, too is going through a period of reticence. This dark, brooding Cabernet is packed with character. Time in the glass brings out striking inner perfume and sweetness. There is a feeling of stark minimalism in the 2018 that I find compelling. Constantly changing in the glass, the 2018 is a magical, exquisite Cabernet Sauvignon.
Feb 17th, 2023
09 was my favorite out of a lineup consisting of a barrel sample, 12 and 14. Savory and smokey.
09 was my favorite out of a lineup consisting of a barrel sample, 12 and 14. Savory and smokey.
Aug 10th, 2020
After a couple months of hiatus, the Friday City Club group was able to get back together (albeit a smaller, more spread out group) for an epic hosting by @joe leatherwood . 1 sparkler, 2 whites, 5 reds and 1 dessert wine, all served blind.
Here’s your finisher. Tied with the L&M for my favorite of the day. This seemed to take the best of the L&M (lifted profile, elegant) and the best of the Harlan (dense, rich, powerful) and marry them together perfectly. Iron fist in a velvet glove. It sported the entire fruit spectrum on the nose (red, blue and black) with added notes of sandalwood, espresso, cinnamon and nutmeg, and scorched earth. It pulls you in immediately on the palate with tantalizing notes of fondue dipped dark fruits, cherry-vanilla pipe tobacco, crushed gravel, before letting you go softly with elegant floral notes like jasmine. Stunning. I called this 7-10yr old Napa cab.
After a couple months of hiatus, the Friday City Club group was able to get back together (albeit a smaller, more spread out group) for an epic hosting by @joe leatherwood . 1 sparkler, 2 whites, 5 reds and 1 dessert wine, all served blind.
Here’s your finisher. Tied with the L&M for my favorite of the day. This seemed to take the best of the L&M (lifted profile, elegant) and the best of the Harlan (dense, rich, powerful) and marry them together perfectly. Iron fist in a velvet glove. It sported the entire fruit spectrum on the nose (red, blue and black) with added notes of sandalwood, espresso, cinnamon and nutmeg, and scorched earth. It pulls you in immediately on the palate with tantalizing notes of fondue dipped dark fruits, cherry-vanilla pipe tobacco, crushed gravel, before letting you go softly with elegant floral notes like jasmine. Stunning. I called this 7-10yr old Napa cab.
A friend had a “reduction party” as he was needing to thin out his cellar. Definitely a party I’m happy to attend!
In my opinion, I feel like it’s tough to judge a producer from this vintage. There is no doubt though that talented winemakers were still able to achieve gorgeous wines, and this meets the threshold. Compared to other ‘11s, this was a bit more dense than expected with nice ripe notes. I have to admit, this reminded me of ripe Bordeaux...it has aromatics of saddle leather, baked red and black fruits, fig, cassis and even some graphite. On the palate, the fruit is slightly muddled and soft, with pipe tobacco, mulberries, dates, and chocolate. Softened tannins at the finish. I’m thinking this may be in its peak drinking window.
A friend had a “reduction party” as he was needing to thin out his cellar. Definitely a party I’m happy to attend!
In my opinion, I feel like it’s tough to judge a producer from this vintage. There is no doubt though that talented winemakers were still able to achieve gorgeous wines, and this meets the threshold. Compared to other ‘11s, this was a bit more dense than expected with nice ripe notes. I have to admit, this reminded me of ripe Bordeaux...it has aromatics of saddle leather, baked red and black fruits, fig, cassis and even some graphite. On the palate, the fruit is slightly muddled and soft, with pipe tobacco, mulberries, dates, and chocolate. Softened tannins at the finish. I’m thinking this may be in its peak drinking window.