Promontory Promontory 2014

I knew it was only a matter of time before Davide Cilli would make a wine at Promontory that would represent the maximum expression of this rugged hillside site. The 2014 Promontory has been exceptional in the past, but it has also gained another gear or two over the last year, which is pretty much now standard for these wines. Stunningly delineated and precise, with tremendous purity and exceptional balance, the 2014 Promontory dazzles from start to finish. This is an especially translucent style, one that is more about persistence and balance than power alone. Stated simply, the 2014 Promontory is towering achievement from one of Napa Valley's most talented young winemakers. Kudos to the Harlan family and the winegrowing team led by Bob Levy and Cory Empting for creating the framework that allowed Cilli to craft this exquisite, riveting Cabernet Sauvignon. (AG) (12/2018)

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2014 Promontory bursts from the glass with bold, brazen notions of crushed blackcurrants, black raspberries, wild blueberries and redcurrant jelly with a compelling perfume of rose hip tea, sandalwood, unsmoked cigars and dried lavender. Full-bodied, super intense and yet wonderfully ethereal, it has a firm line of very fine-grained tannins, tons of freshness and incredibly vibrant, crunchy fruit, finishing long with bags of energy. (LPB) (9/2019)

This is a red with such incredible depth and beauty with a tannin structure that just melts into the glass. It’s full body, yet extremely tense and perfectly succent. Hints of bitter lemon, cedar and dark berry. Pine needle and spice with fresh mushroom. It’s reserved and wonderful. Tension and focus. First vintage aged in all cask. Impressive now but one for the cellar. New classic for Napa. Better after 2022. (12/2019)

Starting with the 2014 Promontory, this is a riveting wine in the vintage and will unquestionably be one of the longest-lived as well. Sporting a saturated purple color as well as a rock star nose of ripe blue fruits, crushed rocks, graphite, and leaf pencil, this monster of a wine hits the palate with full-bodied richness and depth, building tannins, a stacked mid-palate, and a finish that won’t quit. Where most 2014s are already accessible and charming, this needs 4-5 years of bottle age and will be a 40- to 50-year wine. (1/2019)

There's real exuberance on the nose in this new-release 2014, with splendid yet fresh blackcurrant aromas and considerable elegance too. Rich and full-bodied, but the wine's weight and volume are refined by the fine-grained tannins. Compared to other vintages, this shows moderate acidity but has density and force. Polished and very long. (SB) (5/2020)

Lush and forward in feel, with alluring steeped plum and blackberry reduction flavors, lined with singed alder, tobacco and sage hints. Picks up a lovely warm gravel note, while the fruit keeps the upper hand on the extremely long, smoldering finish, showing greater depth and structure as it moves through. (JM) (9/2020)

Nose much more like 2012 than 2013. Savoury dried herbs again and then a certain lusciousness. Lots of sweet ink and quite marked tannin. But good freshness on the finish. Though it’s quite youthful still. Very juicy. 17.5/20 points. (JR) (2/2020)