Benchmark Wines by
Vine Hill Ranch
The Winery
Vine Hill Ranch
Tucked along the wooded hills of the Mayacamas Mountain Range in Oakville, Vine Hill Ranch is a culmination of the Phillips family’s evolution from grape-growing to winemaking over three generations. Years of traversing vineyard rows and caring for each of Vine Hill Ranch’s seven blocks have imbued a deep understanding of our estate vineyard’s unique characteristics. “To produce a true wine of place, we take a minimal touch approach to winemaking: harvesting at optimal ripeness, meticulous sorting of fruit, cold-soaking, extended maceration, use of native yeast and new French oak barrels. Grapes from VHR’s selected blocks are vinified as separate lots to promote the full expression of the vineyard.” In 1993, Winemaker Françoise joined Araujo Estate, soon stepping into the role of winemaker. The reputation of the Phillips family’s determination to craft a wine of place from the estate vineyard drew Françoise to VHR in 2008. She collaborates closely in the field with vineyard manager, Michael Wolf, to cultivate a wine that is dynamic, powerful and elegant—a soulful expression of the site.
Tasting Notes
- V98
- Majestic and towering in personality, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the truly great wines of a great vintage. The flavors are bold, intense and driving, with huge swaths of tannins and layers of pulsating minerality in support. Graphite, leather, lavender, tobacco and spices wrap around the virile, imposing finish. A wine of vertical structure and stunning detail, the 2013 is going to need the better part of the next decade to start opening up. Today, it is impressive, but it will be even better in a few years' time.
- WA96
- A slightly higher production of 775 cases was made with the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a prodigious Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, with notes of creosote, camphor and burning embers, which give it an almost Graves-like character, but then the rich, creamy, pure blackberry and cassis fruit kick in. The wine has fabulous intensity, a multi-layered, dense, full-bodied texture and terrific finish. The tannins are slightly more dominant than in the 2012, but they offer sweetness and creaminess as opposed to any astringency or harshness, This is a modern-day classic from Vine Hill Ranch and probably the finest wine they have ever made. Drink it over the next 30+ years. Rating: 96+
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