Vine Hill Ranch 'VHR' Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA 2021
Vine Hill Ranch (VHR) is situated at the southern end of Oakville, bounded by Harlan Estate to the north, Beckstoffer's Missouri Hopper to the east (those 40 acres were once part of the VHR property) and Hopper Creek and Dominus Estate to the south. The property, owned by the Phillips family, consists of 600 acres, of which 70 are planted almost entirely to Cabernet Sauvignon. VHR are first and foremost grape growers, boasting 13 winery partners, eight of whom bottle single-vineyard wines from the property. Managing Partner Bruce Phillips points out that the parts of the vineyard that extend up into the foothills of the Mayacamas produce wines with more tannins and darker fruit than the benchland sites.
In the wake of the tumultuous 2020 growing season, 2021 delivered idyllic conditions befitting the production of Cabernet Sauvignon at Vine Hill Ranch. The result is a 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 the Napa Valley’s history.
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.
"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." Jeb Dunnuck 98+
"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." Wine Advocate 98