Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

Rick Stiles who hosted me is not only quite knowledgeable of Promontory, he also has an extensive career in the wine trade. He was nice enough to ask me if there was another vintage I’d wanted to taste. Given that he asked, I told him I really love the style of the well made Napa 2018’s. Then poof, we were tasting their 2018. At the conclusion of my tasting he also presented me a gift of the oil olive they make. Looking forward to trying it this weekend.

As for their 2018, it, like many 2018’s are showing very well at this point. This will benefit from another 5-7 plus yrs of cellaring and its window closes out around 2045-50.

The mouth entry is glorious. Rich, lush, ripe dark & red fruits, delicate tannins, soft everything; earth, mocha, dry herbs, spice, licorice dark chocolate, violets, perfect acidity extremely well balanced, soft tension & structure with an excellent long finish that lingers minutes.

Add another point or two when it hits it precipice.

Rick and I tasted their 2023 from oak vat. It is excellent and will merit a 💯 points from likely all or most critics. The 23 will remain in vat until June and then released for purchase in 2027.

Tasted at the winery 1/14/25. — 20 days ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.3

Nice bottle for $50.00, decant an hour so & you’re set
Info I found on the dark web as follows,

This property possesses 16 hectares of vines (60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc) and was purchased in 1978 by Comte Léo de Malet Roquefort, the owner of Château La Gaffelière. In June 2011 it was acquired by the Clarence Dillon group, which also owns Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion. Its new owner decided to rename the property, starting with the 2011 vintage. Château Tertre Daugay, the fifth cru classé to be acquired by the Clarence Dillon group, became Château Quintus.The property is located on a high promontory that forms the edge of the Saint Emilion plateau. It commands a panoramic view far into the distance of the surrounding villages and the Dordogne Valley. It is here that, since time immemorial, a watchtower has stood to guard the village of Saint Emilion. The exceptional microclimate is due to the area's diversity in terms of soil, slopes and orientation. Consequently, it comes as no surprise that in 1844 and 1848 the wine was among the 14 most sought-after and expensive in Saint Emilion. For nearly a century, Bordeaux et ses Vins, the standard reference work produced by Cocks and Féret, listed the property as a Saint Emilion Premier Cru. The property was also one of the prestigious vineyards in Saint Emilion to win a gold medal at the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1867. — 3 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The Penultimate is made from the young wines vs a deselection of their Promontory fruit.

The one thing I always notice about young vines is they don’t necessarily bring depth to Cabernet, yet they do bring amazing floral qualities.

Wine showed nicely ripe, lush fruits, has a more understated quality of excellent dry herbs & beautiful earthiness that come out in their Promontory wines. But this is a well crafted wine that will add a point or two in another 5-7 yrs and drink will for another 7-8 yrs.

Tasted at the winery 1/14/25.

This 17 was unaffected by the fires as they were finished harvesting before the fires began. I always recommend cross referencing a producers harvest dates and dates of the fires. You will find some good wines and well priced at retail or the secondary markets because many will write off the entire vintage under those circumstances. Cross reference & you’ll find you’re rewarded. — 20 days ago

Russ Bus

9.5

Closed and disjointed at opening but came together nicely after a 4 hr decant. Well balanced density and acidity - notable lift. Secondaries showing nicely, tertiaries developing well, perfectly integrated tannin. This is a great time to drink. Aging further may benefit tertiary flavor development and there’s certainly sufficient acid to carry it through, but may have notable textural decline. Of the four wines tasted (Scarecrow 12, Promontory 14, Continuum 13) it was second favorite and most closely aligned stylistically with Scarecrow. — 2 years ago

Charles York

9.3

Bright cherry, strawberry. Smooth finish. Far better than the 2011. Promontory — 4 years ago

Charles York

9.3

Dark cherry. Cranberry. Floral nose. Smooth finish. Nice balance of size and elegance. Many years to come. Promontory — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

A 375ml Brut I’ve had awhile. I drink primarily Extra Brut these days. While it is just over 8g dosage, it doesn’t seem as sweet as some other lower dosage Brut’s I’ve had here & there lately. Doesn’t mean I don’t wish it was less sweet.

Trying it with a little Companion Bakery-Light & Fluffy Sourdough. Sampling the Promontory Olive Oil I was gifted at the Winery Wednesday. I’ve had really good Olive Oil’s from/in Italy & Spain. Theirs holds it own nicely. Smooth with a perfect soft kick at the end. Poured a splash of Tondo Balsamic from Tuscany. Wonderful stuff.

The palate shows; green & golden apples, some yellow & white stone fruits, lime & lemon pulp w/ zest, green melon, kiwi & light green melon, the fruit bits in marmalade, honey notes, soft caramel, vanillin, ginger ale, hints of mint, yeasty note to baguette crust, grey volcanics, white spice, nice chalkiness with tiny bits, limestone, sea spray/fossils, yellow flowers/lilies, spring flowers with greens, well balanced/knitted with a round, elegant, polished finish that lasts 90 seconds that lands on mid intensity spice & minerals.

Blend of 2019-20. Disgorged 12/22. — 19 days ago

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9.3

The 2018 Penultimate is a seriously beautiful wine that captures all the qualities that made this vintage so special. Bright and articulate, the 2018 is wonderfully vibrant from start to finish. Dark red cherry, plum, mocha, spice, cedar and dried herbs flesh out in this super-expressive and inviting edition of Penultimate. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, December 2023)
— 2 years ago

Charles York

9.2

Black cherry. Dark fruits. Earth. Loved it, pure NSG. Promontory — 4 years ago

"Odedi"

9.4

#Memorialday

This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from a great vintage in Napa Valley.

Full bodied and bold with medium acidity and long legs.

Showing black fruits with chocolates, earth, cedar, spices, peppercorn, pencil lead, dark coffee, vanilla, licorice and light vegetables.

Dry on the palate with a long finish and fine grained tannins.

Good right out of the bottle, but really needs a few hours to open up properly and show the tannins, which we did not have this time, as it finished way too quickly.

This 8 year old is still young, and would age nicely in the next 15 years.

Showing great complexity with a smooth, soft and delicate mouthfeel. Rich yet elegant, with a spicy finish.

Grapes come from the younger vines of BOND, Harlan Estate and Promontory. 

I paired it with a nice piece of steak and baked potatoe.

94 points.

$170. — 5 years ago