Tasting Notes:
100 points James Suckling
I tasted this for the first time last year and it has only got greater. The nose is breathtaking. Purity with incredible complexity, showing dried mushrooms, blackberries, currants and cedar. Some wet earth. Dense and layered blackberries and blueberries. Full-bodied and long with beautiful depth and intensity. The tannins are ultra long. Black truffle comes through. Love the length, finesse and focus.
100 points Wine Advocate
Deep garnet-purple, the 2016 Promontory comes barreling out of the glass with bold scents of black cherries, blueberry pie and licorice, leading to a slowly emerging core of crème de cassis, dark chocolate, black soil and truffles plus touches of cumin seed, mossy bark and beef drippings. The full-bodied palate is densely packed with muscular fruit, backed by a rock-solid structure of very firm, exquisitely ripe, grainy tannins and fantastic tension. The finish is both powerful and beautifully nuanced, hedonic and cerebrally gratifying. This singularly stunning expression of Napa Valley is to be released by the winery in 2021. (LPB)
100 points The Wine Independent
Deep purple-black colored, the nose of the 2016 Promontory starts a little sluggish and broody before positively erupting with powerful scents of plum preserves and crème de cassis, followed by exotic hints of cardamom, Indian spices, and sandalwood, plus wafts of fertile loam and crushed rocks. The palate is full-bodied, rich, and velvety, intertwining opulence and minerality with wonderful vibrancy and gravitas, finishing with an epically long-lasting array of earthy sparks. Now starting to shut down as it heads into a slumber, give it a good 4-5 more years in the cellar before broaching, then drink it over the next 30+ years. (LPB)
100 points Jeb Dunnuck
The 2016 Estate is pure perfection and a legend in the making. Featuring incredible purity of fruit as well as powerful notes of crème de cassis, gravelly earth, cedar pencil, and chocolate, it has the fresher, pure, classic style of this great vintage front and center. With full-bodied richness and depth, it has an almost Château Latour-like stature and majestic quality, and it should have a similar evolution, requiring 7-8 years to hit its early drink window yet evolve for 20-30 years or more.
Cult Wines International Notes:
Unveiling Promontory: A Harlan Legacy
Bill Harlan, a legendary name in Napa Valley, has once again pushed the boundaries of winemaking with his latest creation, Promontory. This remarkable estate, nestled in the dramatic Oakville Mountains, is a story of discovery, passion, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
The journey began with Bill Harlan’s early explorations of the Oakville ridge, where he encountered an awe-inspiring, yet untamed landscape. Decades later, the second generation of the Harlan family embarked on a mission to unlock the potential of this hidden gem.
Spanning 500 feet of elevation, the Promontory estate boasts a diverse topography, shaped by a unique geological convergence. This interplay of volcanic, sedimentary, and metamorphic soils has created a captivating microclimate, ideal for cultivating exceptional grapes.
A Wine of Power and Mystery
Less than ten percent of the land is dedicated to vineyards, seamlessly integrated into the surrounding wilderness. Morning fog and cool breezes from the western slopes create a unique microclimate, contributing to the distinctive character of the wines.
Promontory Penultimate, a sibling to the estate’s flagship wine, reflects the power and mystery of its terroir. The 2016 vintage is a masterpiece, offering immediate enjoyment while promising even greater complexity with further aging.
Each bottle of Promontory embodies the untamed beauty of Napa Valley, reflecting Bill Harlan’s enduring spirit and the captivating story of this remarkable estate. This is a wine that invites you to explore the unknown, savoring each sip and becoming part of its extraordinary legacy.
Bottle Size:
3 bottles in OWC – 750 mL each
Storage History:
Always stored properly in a climate controlled cellar.
Condition:
Perfect.
