2021 Promontory Proprietary Red
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Tasting notes
Vibrant ruby violet colour., just such a pleasure to be taste, so much juice and character, concentration and confidence. Liqourice root, cocoa bean, cassis, bilberry, loganberry, fennel, baking spices, grilled coffee beans, freshly cut herbs, riven and powerful and wow is it good. Will Harlan director, David Cilli winemaker. 12ha estate set high above Oakville with slopes running from 150-340m. Long ageing in large sized Stockinger casks, minimal new oak.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The 2021 Promontory is fabulous. It shows all the natural intensity of a vintage defined by intense drought. Dark-toned fruit, graphite, new leather, spice and chocolate all meld together in this powerful, structured wine from Promontory. Potent tannins need time to soften, but there's a ton of underlying finesse here. Readers should be in no rush.
Disclaimer: I worked this vintage but will do my best to be impartial in my assessment of the wine. Deep purple. Slightly reduced and tight on the nose with dark cherry and plum and a whiff of tobacco-green freshness. Lithe tannin structure with high, nearing racy, acidity and a long, firm finish with a hint of chocolatey dark fruit. Beautiful wine. (SCJ)
Flat-out awesome, the 2021 Promontory continues to show brilliantly and will most likely merit a triple-digit rating in a decade. Cassis, graphite, crushed stone, black olives, and violets define the aromatics, and it has a liquid, rock-like minerality. It's full-bodied on the palate, remarkably well-balanced, with ultra-fine tannins, integrated acidity, and a great finish. It's powerful, yet incredibly elegant and seamless, and it's going to age for 40+ years. Drink 2025-2065.
About the producer
Promontory is fast becoming one of the Napa Valley’s most important estates. The property was purchased by Bill Harlan (founder of Harlan Estate) in 2008, with the first vintage – 2009 – released in 2015.