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Deep red and brooding describes both the appearance and nature of the wine. The 2011 vintage bears the most extroverted aromatics of Promontory to date, with notes that range from coffee, black truffle, wet stones, and the smell of warm earth after a rainfall. The wine is classically juicy on entry as the acidity dances in the front of the mouth. It possesses great density but demonstrates a degree of clarity and intention as it touches the mid-palate. This is followed, by a very fine quality of tannin, not yet experienced in the prior vintages. The 2011 is undoubtedly youthful, but with gentle decanting it can bestow more pleasure at the moment than any vintage yet. However approachable this wine may be, we are convinced that its mysterious facets will continue to be revealed in the decades to come.
Wine Description
The Story
Wines from hillsides of Promontory reflect the many aspects of the territory: the native forests, the moisture of the ephemeral fog, and the minerality of the geologic underpinnings. These disparate facets in symphony provide a natural balance of freshness, energy, and tannin. We believe these traits, in wine, are the building blocks of great vitality and long life.
In an unmarked territory, concealed in the southwestern hills bordering Oakville, lies PROMONTORY - remote, raw, and replete with uncharted potential.
The quiet quest of a quarter century, the lands of Promontory manifest the hallmarks of an unparalleled winegrowing estate, diversity of soil, elevation, exposition and climate, all within a single and dramatic expanse.
Wine Information
Budbreak at Promontory began in the second week of April. The season progressed at a slow but deliberate pace, with veraison occurring in late August and early September. While most of the valley experienced rain followed by weeks of thick fog, Promontory - perched just above - continued to receive the warmth of the autumn sun along with the constant breeze that naturally stirs within the property. These two elements created ideal ripening conditions, and allowed for patience in determining the moment of harvest. Picking began with the upper ridges in late October and concluded with the lower hillsides in the first week of November.
Due to the diversity of soil, exposure, and elevation, over fifty individual harvest passes were made, translating into thirty separate vinifications in the winery. Careful selection was made at the time of blending, in order to discern the parcels that would most purely express the character of the land. With each progressive month of aging the wine has continued to add layers of depth and richness. We believe that not only is this an exemplary example of the 2011 vintage, but that it is truly the best representation of Promontory that we have offered to date.