Napa Perfection: 100pt 2021 Vine Hill Ranch

Vine Hill Ranch stands with To Kalon, Eisele, and Dr. Crane as one of the defining Cabernet Sauvignon sites in all of Napa Valley. It was founded by Marin County rancher Bruce Kelham, who in 1959 purchased more than 1,000 acres on the varied terrain where the Mayacamas Mountains meet the valley floor.

In 1978, Bruces daughter Alexandra and her husband Bob Phillips moved to the western Oakville property, took over the farming, and refocused on the vineyards, which now cover 70 acres. In the 1980s, they worked with UC Davis and famed vintner Tony Soter, researching the terroir and dividing the property into seven unique vineyard blocks. They then subdivided those blocks and chose their clones, rootstock, and planting density based on what would thrive on each one.

This replanting coincided with a movement toward site-specific wines in Napa, and Vine Hill Ranch became a prized site, supplying grapes to icons like Araujo, Cakebread (which makes a vineyard-designate bottling), Lail, Robert Mondavi, and other Cabernet icons. Just over a decade ago, Vine Hill Ranch produced their own wine for the first time, and with winemaking duties in the hands of Haut-Brion-trained Peschon, the results have been spectacular.

This wine is another crowning achievement from Vine Hill Ranch, as Peschon has captured the one-of-a-kind Oakville site, the familys impeccable farming, and a spectacular vintage in one perfect bottle.

A dense, opaque purple in the glass. Primary aromas of red and black fruits, led by freshly picked blackberry and cherry. These fruit aromas are supported by perfumed notions of violets, sandalwood, and graphite. The palate is broad and powerful, with a core of crme de cassis and dark chocolate framed by firm tannins. A kiss of clove, wild herbs, and toasted cedar on the polished and lengthy finish, which retains a freshness that suggests many years of evolution in the cellar. This is a Cabernet of power, elegance, and structure, achievable only with the best conditions. Drink 20252050.

Wine Access is committed to protecting your privacy.
Please read our privacy policy.
Copyright 2024 Wine Access, Inc. All rights reserved.

By law, this product may only be shipped to the following states:
AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY.
"Shipping included" offer does not apply to shipments to Hawaii and Alaska.
Special conditions apply for DE, MD, ME, NJ, NY, RI, SD, and TX.