Promontory 2019

- 100 Punkte, JEB DUNNUCK: “Lastly, the 2019 Promontory matches the perfect 2016 from this estate and is legendary stuff. Ripe black fruits, chocolatey, lead pencil shaving, roasted herbs, and tobacco are just some of its nuances, and this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a deep, layered, concentrated mid-palate, ultra-fine tannins, and an incredible finish. It doesn’t get any better. This has the class of a First Growth from Bordeaux paired with a Napa sense of texture and fruit. It will evolve for 40-50 years. 2023-2073“

- 100 Punkte, The Wine Independent, Lisa Perrotti-Brown

-  99 Punkte, James Suckling: „Purple-fruit, dark-licorice and conifer aromas follow through to a medium to full body with firmness and a linear flow that goes on for minutes. Racy tannins and focus. Give this until at least 2028.“

- 99 Punkte, DECANTER Georgina Hindle: „Beguiling scents of wild flowers, dark bramble fruits and some aniseed notes on the nose. Textured and fleshy, full and bright, but sleek and lean too, the tannins have real bit and angles giving this a little bit of an austere frame. Nothing overdone or too ripe about this though and in a sene atypical, but I love the finesse on show and the reigned-in sense to the flavours. Well shaped, well constructed, deep and layered, so dark and finely knitted. Not seductive but almost sultry in a severe way. I love the energy, the focus and the overall expression. Almost hands off, great acidity, piercing with pristine fruit. It's such a young wine that it's really hard to see it in its full glory right now but I love the dark spices; liquorice, aniseed and clove. Totally gorgeous. At this price it should knock your socks off and it does. But this will require patience. Drinking Window. 2027-2045“

- 97 Parkers Punkte WINE ADVOCATE, Joe Czerwinski: „The 2019 Promontory offers up slightly darker cherries than the red-fruited 2018, couched in a bed of foresty-minty notes and underpinned by crushed stone. At this stage, it looks more intense but otherwise similar to the excellent 2018, finishing long, silky and elegant, with mouthwatering freshness. Collectors should enjoy comparing the two years for decades to come. Drink Date: 2025-2045“

The newest of the Harlan-related projects, Promontory is based on an 840-acre parcel of largely forested hills located south of Harlan Estate. Purchased in 2008, it's virtually a valley unto itself, with fewer than 84 acres under vine. The winery itself is situated just north of Harlan. From a slightly higher elevation and virtually surrounded by nature, the wine is more taut and structured, accentuated by its élevage in Austrian oak foudres from Stockinger, which range from 1000 to 5000 liters in volume. This is always released later than the other Harlan projects, with the 2019 slated for release in March 2023. Availability at retail is extremely limited, so the best option is to sign up for the mailing list. Unlike Harlan Estate and Bond, Promontory does offer visits by appointment, so at least there is a chance to try the wine for yourself.