2017 Promontory

The Harlan family have been winemakers in California’s Napa Valley since the late 1970s. Their first endeavor, Harlan Estate, has established an international benchmark for the art of winemaking over the course of nearly four decades. It was in those early days, in the early 1980s, that H. William Harlan discovered another place—an isolated area—while hiking along the southwest ridge of Oakville. The hidden expanse touched him deeply, but remained elusive until much later, when the Harlan family finally acquired it in 2008. The second generations of both the family and the winemaking team came together during this time to explore and work the land, and they began to make discoveries of their own. At the heart of this wild terrain, they found a powerful geological convergence that had shaped the land’s steep, rugged topography and created the conditions for an entirely exotic winegrowing environment. Over time, they discovered that the dramatic landscape—just beyond the edge of the known—would slowly transform them and eventually inspire a new venture: Promontory. Eleven hectares of the original vineyard have been preserved due to the interesting age of these Cabernets. Another 16 hectares are still being replanted parcel by parcel.

After an unusually dry and warm winter, bud formation occurred in the third week of March, signaling an early start to the 2015 growing season. Colder weather during flowering led to lower fruit set, which, combined with minimal rainfall over the past three years, resulted in small yields. Several heat waves in late summer brought high temperatures. These incidents were particularly challenging in August and September, and so the vines had to use all available resources to maintain a regular ripening path. Harvest began very early – September 8 – but the cool climate of the area tempered this, allowing harvesting to continue for four weeks. Nearly fifty-four harvest passes were completed, resulting in forty different vinifications. The wine showed generosity and balance from the start, while retaining the innate drive that is so typical of Promontory.

Deep garnet in colour, the Promontory bursts from the glass with showy red berry, black cherry compote and warm cassis notes plus hints of cinnamon, rose, unsmoked cigar and fragrant earth. On the palate this superb Napa is full bodied, the flavours are rich and powerful, with layer upon layer of red and black fruit with lots of mineral notes. The structure is rock solid with firm, rugged tannins that begin to balance the flamboyant fruit, finishing with plenty of length and a lively lift. Parker writes in his review: "This is certainly among the most profound of the 2017 Napa Cabernets and for followers of this vineyard, not one to be missed"

FACT: In the Tab: Attachment you will find the official fact sheet of this beautiful wine. We will automatically send it to you when you order this wine. The wine is in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you come to pick up the wine you will also receive a nice discount . We are located almost next to the Rijksweg with plenty of parking. Click here for address