Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

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.

Sick one

09 was my favorite out of a lineup consisting of a barrel sample, 12 and 14. Savory and smokey.

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.

This is a perfect wine. Needless to say more!

The florals from this vineyard astound. More cassis than currants then were in the 08. Ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum, blueberries, strawberries, cranberries notes, olallieberries, slight liqueur, cigar, light dry top soils, saddle-wood, dark rich soils, dark floral, blue flowers, violets and unstated lavender.

The body is amazing but lighter than the 08. The tannins much rounder, softer and velvety. The fruits riper. The 09 is the dictionary definition of elegance. It’s drinking better now than the 08 but, the 08 will outshine the 09. Ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum, blueberries, plum, strawberries, cherries, cranberries notes, olallieberries, mocha, slight liqueur, cigar, light dry top soils, dry crushed rock powder, tobacco, saddle-wood, dark rich soils, forest floor, dark floral, blue flowers, violets and bright, brilliant lavender. The acidity again brilliant. The finish leaves me speechless.

Photos of, the view and waterfall from Promontory. They keep environment simple and zen like. It’s a peaceful place. The large Austrian oak vessels they age their wines in for 30 plus months. They find they work better with the fruit from their terroir. I couldn’t argue that philosophy based on what I tasted. They also hold their wine another year in bottle before they release. Two photos of the grounds just outside the winery. Beautiful spot.

So, we arrived in Napa Friday morning and started at Promontory with a glass of 2006 Dom Perignon as they do not make a white, only one red wine. We also tasted the 2016 out of large Austrian oak vats. That wine shows great promise but won’t be available until 2021.

We then tasted their inaugural 2008 vintage and the 2009. Thirty-six hours later and five other excellent Napa wine producers visits later, I am still thinking about these wines.

This wines were so good, heady and absolutely stunning, it was painful not to spend an hour contemplating each of them. Instead, having to rush off to Vineyard 29 for our next appointment with my tasting glasses half full.

My notes below detailed as they may, will not do these wines justice and still underwhelm the experience. At times, I was at a loss for words to wholly convey the experience. It defied the allotted time and my verbal skills. These wines created an entire body experience. I am still thinking about my tasting experience and will likely still be thinking about it for weeks.

Beautiful dark currants & cassis framed in light oak with amazing florals. There’s a light smokiness, blackberries, dark plum, dark cherries, lots of blue fruits, boysenberries, black raspberries, strawberries, soft wood, beautifully layered light baking spices, very light spice, steeped tea, dark chocolate, mocha, light caramel, cedar, fresh tobacco, Provence herbs, dark floral bouquet, violets, blue flowers and lavender. Absolute stunning nose I didn’t want to stop experiencing the layers, the way it nuances crisscrossed in my head.

The body is light, weightless, yet full. Fine dusty tannins with some stickiness. It glides in layers & waves across the palate. What finely knitted structure, tension, amazing length with incredible balance. Both dark currants & cassis framed lightly in oak with amazing enticing florals. Light smokiness, ripe beautiful; blackberries, dark plum, dark cherries, lots of blue fruits, boysenberries, black raspberries, strawberries. soft saddle-wood to light presence of cedar. Beautifully layered light baking spices, asian spices, steeped tea, dark chocolate, mocha, light caramel, cedar, fresh tobacco, anise, Provence herbs, finely crushed rock dust, dark floral bouquet, violets, blue flowers and lavender. The acidity is brilliant like a gentle rain shower. The incredible finish is everything you look for in a wine and then some.

When I left, I wished I had another undistracted hour or more to enjoy and study each wine further.

Photos of, the view from Promontory over looking Harlan and Promontory vines, the fire we enjoyed on a cool morning to enjoy our 06 Dom Perignon, immaculate barrel room and new oak barrels and their oak & concrete vats.

Very jammy fruit, but good complexity

Deep ruby red. Dark berries on the nose with notes of spices, blackberries, and a touch floral. Heavy tannins (8/10) and full bodied. Dry and rich on the palate with dark berries, spices and dark crushed rocks. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2046. (93+)

Thanks Russell!!