Baker and Hamilton (by Vine Hill Ranch) 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 96 Points*

Winemaker Francoise Peschon Notes: “2021 delivered idyllic conditions for the production of singularly expressive Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Napa Valley. The result is a Cabernet Sauvignon vintage of remarkable depth and complexity. Often compared to the exemplary 2013 growing season, the 2021 vintage is certain to be regarded as one of the finest in Napa Valley’s history. In the fourth year of a prolonged drought in California, 2021’s deficient soil moisture resulted in smaller canopies, brought forward in wonderfully temperate growing conditions that were ideal for the ripening of a relatively small winegrape crop at Vine Hill Ranch. August and September delivered mild temperatures that allowed for extended maturation in the vineyard, resulting in a vintage of remarkable complexity, character, and nuance.”

FMW 96 Points: The Baker &Hamilton 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is beguiling and stunning from the get-go!  The wine offers an intense aroma of bright dark stone fruit,  flowers, and spices that jump out of the glass on impact. The palate is lush and full and loaded with layers of dark red and black stone fruits, a whiff of vanilla and licorice.  This wine is gorgeous and beautifully delineated with a lot of pizzazz. Vibrant fruit and elegance are the keywords here!  This youngster finishes with a great crescendo of silky tannins and a perfumed finish.

TWI (Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW) 95 Points: “Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon comes skipping out of the glass with bright, cheery scents of kirsch, black raspberries, red roses, and clove oil with suggestions of sandalwood and dusty soil. The full-bodied palate is electric with tension and energetic red and black fruit layers, supported by fine-grained tannins, finishing long and minerally..”

James Suckling 95 Points: “A balance and beauty of red fruits with blackberries, black currants and black cherries with some flowers. It’s medium-bodied with firm and refined tannins that give this wine presence yet it’s so refined and harmonious making you want to drink it now. It will age beautifully but no reason really to age it.”

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points: “The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon also comes from more blocks in the estate vineyard compared to 2020 (due to a strict selection,) and it can be thought of as a second wine for the estate. All Cabernet Sauvignon, it sports a deep purple hue to go with a vibrant nose of cassis and ripe blue fruits as well as spring flowers, violets, and chocolate. Medium to full-bodied, nicely balanced, and elegant on the palate, it’s beautifully layered and has a great finish.”

*Wine arrives April 17-22, 2024