Promontory's "territory" (only 10% of which is planted) is located in the hills southwest of Oakville, and the balance of natural elements and lively nature brought about by the natural forests, morning mist steam, geographical factors and soil, and the minerality and energy of the fruit are produced with a concentrated variety of elements. The aroma is full of graphite, wet rocks, black currants, blueberries, the aroma of burning charcoal, spices, and earthy nuances. The taste is full-bodied and has a solid concentration, with a rich mouthfeel and finely-grained tannins that give it a luxurious sweetness and presence. The wine is aged longer than other Harlan Group wines in large barrels made by Stockinger in Austria to polish the robust tannins.
The wines made from the hills of Promontory reflect the many elements of its "territory".
Untouched forests, the steam from morning fog, and the minerality brought about by geographical factors.
These personalities combine in a symphony, creating a vibrant natural balance, energy and concentrated tannins that are reflected in the wine, giving it vitality and the potential for long aging.
Vintage Information (Wine Director: Corey Empting, Winemaker: David Chile)
The 2017 harvest began with plenty of rain in January and February, and spring progressed with sufficient moisture stored in the soil, resulting in uniform bud break on March 31st.
The weather then progressed smoothly into May, with the first very hot days occurring in mid-June and then again at the start of July.
This field is naturally subject to cool fog and breezes, so it was able to survive the two hot days of early summer without any problems.
The heat wave around the first Monday in September came close to the predicted harvest period, so we were worried about what would happen, but the grape vines released a lot of water, which increased the sugar content of the fruit.
As temperatures dropped over the next 10-14 days, the vines regained their natural growth potential, reducing sugar levels and preserving better than expected acidity.
The cultivation and brewing team was impressed by the balance created by this restorative power of nature, and learned a great deal from it.
Harvesting began on September 14th and continued until October 8th, when it was halted due to forest fires.
At that point, 52 harvests had been made and 75% of the grapes had been safely delivered to the winery, and no further harvesting took place.
The result was a vintage with low yields overall.
Tasting Notes (Wine Director: Corey Empting, Winemaker: David Chili)
The 2017 Promontory exudes typical aromas of wet stone, mint and forest herbs.
A subtle aroma of red fruits permeates the entire wine, and the firm structure and crisp, firm acidity combine together with a sense of tension.
The tannins are tightly wound at first, then gradually loosen, revealing a complex interplay of various components on the finish.
2017 may seem a little closed at the moment, but as the years patiently pass, its fascinating elements will begin to shine through, drawing you in with their charm.
Vintage: 2017
Capacity: 750ml
Type: Red wine
Taste: Full-bodied
Main variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Country of Origin: America
Region Name: California
AVA: Napa Valley
Note: Vinous 97 in stock
Winemaker: David Chilli
Rating: 90P or above
Cap: Cork
Alcohol content: 14.5%
JAN: None