Promontory, 2013
Promontory, 2013
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Arguably one of the top wines from the Napa cult producers, and a personal favourite of Robert Parker. Promontory is a specialised wine project from the same minds of the equally prestigious Harlan Estate, dedicated to this truly ancient and unique plot of land in the Oakville AVA, defined by a true meeting of elements: forests, fog, moisture, wind, heat all converge: and this is the result. This particular 2013 vintage is widely considered their best, even when California at large saw better vintages in 2012 and 2016. The wine is deep, dense, powerful, and yet intensely sprightful, with its complex elixir of wet stone, cassis, blueberry, charcoal, graphite, leather, spices, all reinforced by acidity with the precise, razor like quality, and something akin to leaden linen in its tannic presence.
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Score 99
The best wine so far (although I suspect the 2015 may ultimately enter the picture as well) is the nearly perfect 2013 Promontory Estate. It is simply richer and fuller, with greater integration of tannin, and tastes spectacular. With an opaque, dense purple color and notes of graphite, wet rocks, blackberry and blueberry fruit, some charcoal, and again, loads of spice and loamy soil nuances, the wine has great intensity, a full-bodied texture, and finely grained, sweet tannin. This is a stunner and again, accessible, but its best days are probably a good decade away, as this could very well turn out to be a 40- to 50-year wine.
