Vine Hill Ranch (VHR) 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville, Napa 98 Points

Vinous 98 Points: “The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is once again magnificent. What surprises me most is how much the wine has gained in body over the last few years. Readers will find a Cabernet that marries the open-knit raciness of the 2012 with the darkness and structure of vintages such as 2013 and 2016. If that sounds pretty appealing, well, it is! The 2018 is quite simply one of the most complete and thrilling VHRs to date”

Jeb Dunnuck 98 Points: “Showing brilliantly, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon VHR is a thrilling, magical Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that offers a sensational bouquet of pure crème de cassis, graphite, white flowers, spring flowers, and subtle smoke and crushed stone. As with most 2018s, in has a dense purple color, full-bodied richness, building yet ripe, polished tannins, and a great finish. Certainly no dainty wine, it’s one of those powerful yet perfectly balanced Cabernet Sauvignons that has the fruit and texture to drink well even today yet will have 30 or 40, if not 50 years of longevity”

International Wine Report 98 Points: “The 2018 VHR Cabernet Sauvignon is simply spectacular in this vintage. As this slowly unwinds in the glass it gives way to striking aromatics of dark currants and blackberries which come together with fresh spring florals, exotic spices, graphite, crushed gravel, and subtle hints of licorice that all emerge beautifully from the glass. On the palate, this is full-bodied, polished, and fine-tuned with excellent precision. It goes on to display remarkable overall balance, with a gorgeous core of beautiful fresh dark fruits, which are highlighted by a lovely touch of acidity adding a wonderful sense of freshness and vibrancy all the way through the long, graceful finish. While the 2018 is already showing flashes of brilliance at this early stage, there is no doubt that it is destined for an even brighter future ahead”

Wine Spectator 97 Points: “This Oakville stunner is loaded with cassis, plum reduction and boysenberry pâte de fruit aromas and flavors, all allied to a deeply embedded iron spine. Singed alder and apple wood notes frame the edges, while sparkles of anise, violet, and bramble add range and textual nuance. Reveals a great tug of earth late on the finish, with the fruit still dripping at the very end. Built for the cellar. Best from 2024 through 2040”