Promontory, Napa Valley 2013

The best wine so far (although I suspect the 2015 may ultimately enter the picture as well) is the nearly perfect 2013 Promontory Estate. It is simply richer and fuller, with greater integration of tannin, and tastes spectacular. With an opaque, dense purple color and notes of graphite, wet rocks, blackberry and blueberry fruit, some charcoal, and again, loads of spice and loamy soil nuances, the wine has great intensity, a full-bodied texture, and finely grained, sweet tannin. This is a stunner and again, accessible, but its best days are probably a good decade away, as this could very well turn out to be a 40- to 50-year wine.

The 2013 Promontory was utterly spellbinding when I tasted it last year. Since then, it has totally shut down after its recent bottling. Beams of mountain tannin and salinity give the wine its vibrancy, energy and pure mineral-driven intensity. Graphite, leather, game, smoke and dark stone fruit overtones start to take shape, but the 2013 is in no mood to show all of its cards. The 2013 is the most brilliant wine made yet at Promontory, and it has plenty of upside.

This has a dense and intense palate with beautifully crafted tannins that frame a full body of fruit and wet earth, spice and dried mushrooms. Undertones of pine needles and cedar. Some truffles, too. Vivid and energetic. New Napa here. Better in 2022, but already very attractive. Drink or hold.