2018 Vine Hill Ranch "VHR" Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

“Amazed at the structure and depth of this wine, its form and tension giving incredible energy and length. Blue fruit, mint and spearmint. The tannins are folded into the wine and spread across the palate like the finest velvet. It goes on and on and on. Svelte nature. A classic wine, harking back to the glorious classics of the 1970s.” (09/2022)

“The 2018 VHR Vine Hill Ranch 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. (JDA)” (03/2021)

“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.” (03/2022)

“The 2018 VHR – Vine Hill Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon is off the charts. What a wine. Nearly seamless in feel, the 2018 possesses tremendous stature and intensity from the very first taste. Dark-fleshed fruit, menthol, dried herbs, leather and graphite are some of the many notes that saturate the palate. The 2018 is a wine that continues to blossom, exceeding even my own early expectation. This is an especially fine showing, the best yet. (AG) 98+” (07/2023)

“Deep purplish crimson. Rich fruit but still grainy-textured with very marked tannins. Clearly this wine is still developing. Dry not sweet. Very muscular and grown up! But still a baby. 18++/20 points (JR)” (10/2021)