Vine Hill Ranch 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville Napa Valley 98+ Points

Vinous 98+ Points: “The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is super-polished. Freshly cut flowers, rose petals, lavender, and spice lend a notable aromatic presence to this silky, nuanced wine. This is one of the most elegant wines I can remember tasting here, even with low yields and tiny berries. Silky, perfectly ripe tannins wrap around a core of red/purplish fruit. Medium in body and wonderfully refined, the 2021 is shaping up to be a gem. It is, quite simply, magnificent”

Jeb Dunnuck 98+ Points: “Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged in 70% new French oak, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon VHR sports a dense purple hue to go with a stunning nose of blackcurrants, charcoal, leafy tobacco, and violet. This beauty is full-bodied, rich, concentrated, has a great core of tannins, and a killer finish. This will probably merit a triple-digit rating in 5-7 years and is a brilliant wine as well as a possible 30+-year legend in the making.”

Robert Parker 98 Points: “VHR’s 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is another fabulous wine from the Phillips family and winemaker Françoise Peschon. On the nose, it’s a bit restrained, with a subtle herbal perfume, hints of peppery spice and a concentrated mix of red and black cherries. In the mouth, the wine is similarly composed and polite, being medium to full-bodied, silky and taut in feel, balanced and elegant on the lingering finish.”

Winery Notes: “Singularly expressive, the 2021 VHR, Vine Hill Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon offers scents of freshly crushed black cherries, warm cassis, and juicy blackberries followed by hints of menthol, dark chocolate, licorice, and cinnamon stick, with a fragrant waft of violets. The full-bodied palate is densely laden with vibrant black fruits and loads of baking-spice sparks, framed by exquisitely ripe tannins and well-knit freshness with a long and lingering finish. This wine harmoniously showcases the individual attributes of each vineyard block to create a wine that is balanced, persistent, textural, and distinctive to our family’s vineyard in Oakville.”