Promontory 2015 reveals the untamed soul of Napa Valley through remarkable precision and polish. Deeply aromatic with notes of lavender, blackberry, cedar, and earth, it balances richness and energy in perfect harmony. The palate is powerful yet refined, layered with dark fruit, graphite, and mineral depth, carried by firm, sculpted tannins and a vibrant lift on the finish. Crafted by the Harlan family, this vintage showcases both the rugged terrain of Promontory and the finesse of meticulous, haute-couture winemaking — a profound, age-worthy expression of Napa terroir.

Jamessuckling.com | JS 99
Published: Feb 13, 2019

Insane aromas of lavender, blackberries, wet earth and ripe yet fresh fruit. Full body with very deep fruit, pine needles and hints of chocolate and cedar. Very long and wonderfully polished. This has wonderful depth and focus. Release in 2021. Better after 2024.

The Wine Advocate | RP 98
Published: Jan 15, 2021
Drink: 2022-2053

Deep garnet-purple in colour, it has sprung to life since I last tasted it, prancing out of the glass with showy red currant jelly, black cherry compote and warm cassis notes plus hints of cinnamon toast, wilted roses, unsmoked cigars and fragrant earth. Full-bodied, the palate is rich and impactful, featuring layer upon layer of red and black fruits with loads of mineral sparks. The structure is rock-solid with firm, rugged tannins that are beginning to come into line with the flamboyant fruit, finishing with great length and a lively lift.

During a visit to Promontory in December, I tasted the four latest vintages with winemaker David Cilli, Cory Empting and Will Harlan.

The current release is the 2015 vintage, recently offered on the domestic market with the international offer coming out this spring.

It was an absolute joy to taste the perfect 2016 Promontory again, a wine that Cilli mentioned "so clearly shows the characteristics of Promontory."

Of the 2017 (now in bottle), Cilli said, “We were not able to pick the last few Promontory blocks because of the fires, so it was a very small harvest this year. We had picked a few lots just after the heat spells, and we were able to maintain that freshness in the wine."

The 2018 vintage was tasted as a barrel sample, due to be bottled in early 2021. Cilli said, "We picked for six weeks at Promontory. I picked maybe 90 different lots!" Given the many, incredibly varied aspects, altitudes and soil types at this remote vineyard, this kind of parcel separation is critical to producing a wine of exceptional quality. This 2018 is truly a wine achievement to behold.

Decanter | D 97
Published: Jul 20, 2021
Drink: 2022-2040

Silky and polished on the surface with a delicious wild and powerful rusticity underneath. This gives lots of intensely ripe red fruit but also concentrated savoury elements - coffee grains, black chocolate, black olives and pencil shavings - that draw you in and sustain interest. Incredibly well made with excellent texture and weight on the palate offering body and length. A serious wine, less focussed on bright acidity but still youthful with clear freshness. A four week harvest saw 54 harvest passes by hand and 40 different vat vinifications - excellent haute-couture winemaking by the Harlan family.

Jancisrobinson.com | JR 18
Published: Feb 19, 2020
Drink: 2023-2034

Bright crimson. Young, soaked tea leaves on the nose. Lively and floral. Sweet and polished tannins. Dry finish and very appetising. Tight finish. Wonderfully fresh, despite the drought.