The 2010 Promontory appears to be a killer wine. It ratchets up the level of concentration, but does not reveal as much of the La Mission Haut-Brion personality as the 2009. It exhibits more creme de cassis, sweet earth, truffle, new saddle leather and background vanilla and barbecue notes. Full-bodied, rich, pure and multidimensional, this wine is a kissing cousin of the great Harlan Estate located five to six miles due north on a similar latitude in the lower Mayacamas Mountains overlooking the Oakville Corridor, whereas Promontory overlooks Yountville. This is another 25-30-year wine from the winemaking team of Harlan Estate and Bond.

This is the newest project of Harlan Estate’s Bill Harlan. I did not visit the 80-acres of land that includes vineyard parcels at 500 to 1,100 foot elevations. It is situated in rough country that is accessible only by a fire trail, and the vineyards are located up from and behind the vineyards of Dominus and Blankiet, thus qualifying as part of the Yountville appellation. The soils are primarily volcanic and sedimentary. Ever the perfectionist, Bill Harlan has already made six vintages, but has not yet decided when to release any of them, although it would appear from our discussions that 2009 will be the initial release of this Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend. I think readers should plan on placing Promontory’s Proprietary Red in the same context as the Harlan Estate. Most Napa wine connoisseurs are certainly aware that Harlan Estate is one of Napa Valley’s most iconic wines, and a true first-growth if such a thing existed in Napa. One thing for sure, these wines will not be inexpensive, but the quality is extremely promising.

Robert Parker | 98+ RP

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Deep saturated ruby. Extremely primary aromas of blueberry, kirsch, bitter chocolate and licorice, plus a whiff of leather; distinctly blacker in character than the 2009. Wonderfully plush and deep but with outstanding inner-mouth energy to the dark fruit and smoky mineral flavors. Boasts a remarkably noble, silky texture and great sweetness for such a powerful and unevolved wine. Most impressive today on the superb tactile, rising finish, which features strong but very smooth tannins and lovely floral lift. This beauty should be quite long-lived.

Vinous Media | 96+ VM

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(Promontory, Napa Valley, California, USA, Red) Scents of rich fruit compote – strawberry, blackberry, cherry – mingle with notes of anise, cedar and mountain laurel, the preface to a juicy, firmly tannic wine with serious structure and mid-palate. The second vintage of Promontory is quite a firm, powerful wine. (Drink between 2018-2030)

Decanter | 93 DE

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