Past Vintage Tasting Notes
2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008
Promise 2004 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon SOLD OUT
The 2004 Promise is a dense red color, which is accented by a rich inky purple shade. The aromas are multifaceted and abundant; opening with juicy ripe plum, current, and blackberries, moving into chocolate covered cherries, ginger snap cookies and caramel, finishing with coffee and toasted barrel spice. While the palate is big and bold in style, it is wonderfully integrated and remains harmonious. The dark ripe fruits of black cherries and blackberries are bountiful. Dark chocolate and fresh ground coffee are intermingled throughout and you’re left with a hint of cassis and spiced poached plums. The mouthfeel is outstanding, rich and supple due to the silky tannins that create a soft and pleasing texture, but also a structured backbone that provides grip and longevity.
Blend Composition: 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc
Bottling Date: March 2007
Total Produced: 158 cases
Promise 2005 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon SOLD OUT
The 2005 Promise is an inky purple color, almost black. The aromas are complex and plentiful; opening with juicy ripe black cherries, currant, and loganberries, moving into chocolate covered macaroons, Tahitian vanilla bean and cream caramel, with a hint of tobacco throughout. While the palate is bold in style, it is fantastically integrated and balanced; opening with blackberry pie and toasted pecans, while fresh brewed espresso and figs roasted with brown sugar and butter are intermingled throughout followed by a hint of aniseed and nutmeg. The mouthfeel is both complex and soft due to the velvety tannins that create a supple and gratifying texture, but also a structured backbone that provides outstanding length and makes this wine age-worthy.
Blend Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Bottling Date: December 2008
Total Produced: 242 cases
Promise 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon SOLD OUT
Our third vintage was produced from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from the “Heart Block” of the Winston Hill Vineyard, in Rutherford, Napa Valley and was harvested between October 19-24. The wine was allowed to sit quietly in 100% New French Oak Barrels until December 2009 and has been bottle-aged since then. If there is a single characteristic that we strive for in this wine, it is balance. Our winemaker, Todd Graff, is a genius at creating wines with seamless complexity, and this third effort goes a great distance in helping establish that very focus.
The 2006 Promise is dark purple in color. The aromas are multifaceted and abundant; opening with juicy blackberries, ripe figs, and cassis, moving into warm berry cobbler topped with toasted pecan, dark chocolate covered espresso beans, with a hint of dusty earth throughout. The palate is voluptuous in style while maintaining a refined sophistication. It leads with juicy ripe cherries and wild blueberries, followed by pot de cream with toasted coconut and caramel sauce, fresh brewed coffee, a hint of fresh split vanilla beans and candied ginger. The mouthfeel is both well structured and supple due to the silky tannins that create a soft inviting texture, but also provide outstanding depth with wonderful layers and a delightfully long, velvety lingering finish.
The 2006 Promise is dark purple in color. The aromas are multifaceted and abundant; opening with juicy blackberries, ripe figs, and cassis, moving into warm berry cobbler topped with toasted pecan, dark chocolate covered espresso beans, with a hint of dusty earth throughout. The palate is voluptuous in style while maintaining a refined sophistication. It leads with juicy ripe cherries and wild blueberries, followed by pot de cream with toasted coconut and caramel sauce, fresh brewed coffee, a hint of fresh split vanilla beans and candied ginger. The mouthfeel is both well structured and supple due to the silky tannins that create a soft inviting texture, but also provide outstanding depth with wonderful layers and a delightfully long, velvety lingering finish.
Blend Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Bottling Date: December 2009
Release Date: November 2010
Total Produced: 232 cases
Promise 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon SOLD OUT
The 2007 Promise is a deep dark purple color. Delivers aromas of mocha and sweet caramel, layered with lightly toasted spices and graphite. A seductive blend of blackberries and brown sugar round out the aromas. Plum preserves and sweet tannins lead to a supple and fleshy wine, yet balanced with a firm backbone, this concentrated blend shows outstanding purity and youthfulness.
Blend Composition: 98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petite Verdot
Bottling Date: August 2010
Total Produced: 236 cases
2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008