Wine Reviews 2018 VHR Cabernet Sauvignon
Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate <span>Jan. 31, 2024</span>
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.
Winemaking is under the supervision of Françoise Peschon (ex-Araujo Estate), who says that the goal “is the truest expression of site and vintage, which takes a lot of pressure off.” Different vineyard parcels are picked and fermented separately following a short cold maceration. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrel, with about 60% new French oak used in the 22-month élevage (more prior to 2018).
At the small house on the property, I was able to taste a short vertical of the VHR Cabernet Sauvignon, from 2016 through to the soon-to-be-released 2021. All the vintages were singing, although my favorite was the 100-point 2019, which showed just an extra level of opulence when compared to the more elegant and aristocratic 2018 and 2021 vintages.
While the VHR Cabernet Sauvignon is primarily available through the winery’s mailing list—the 2021 should be released in February 2024—there is an affiliated label, Baker & Hamilton, that is distributed via the trade in California.
2018 VHR, Vine Hill Ranch
From an obviously cooler year than 2016 and 2017, VHR’s 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is a terrific effort marked by hints of mint, baking spices, and loamy earth sprinkled over a base of ripe red cherries. Medium to full-bodied in the mouth, it’s silky, long and harmonious, yet with a long life ahead. 98 pts.
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com <span>Nov. 16, 2022</span>
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. Drinkable now, but better after 2025. 99 pts.
Jonathan Cristaldi, Decanter, decanter.com <span>Sept. 12, 2022</span>
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, it 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. 98 pts.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent, thewineindependent.com <span>Aug. 3, 2022</span>
“2018 was a nice, long 4–5-week harvest period,” said Vine Hill Ranch’s managing partner, Bruce Phillips. “We could bring the fruit in when we wanted.”
Deep purple-black colored, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon starts slightly closed. A little patient swirling unlocks vibrant notes of black currant cordial, black cherry compote, and dark chocolate notes with hints of star anise, beef drippings, and Indian spices, followed by an earthy suggestion of fragrant soil. Full-bodied, the palate shimmers with energetic black and blue fruits, framed by exquisitely ripe, fine-grained tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing long and opulent. This spectacular expression of Napa Cabernet will need another five years in bottle, at least, then watch it blossom and transform over the next 30 years+. Composed of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1100 cases were made. 100 pts.
Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com <span>March 10, 2022</span>
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, it 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. 98 pts.
Miquel Hudin, Hudin.com <span>Jan. 21, 2022</span>
Light ripe red fruits, plum peel and light plum notes as well braced by a bit of delicate graphite and very light notes of menthol, dried thyme and herbs. Bit brighter in the palate with very chewy red fruits notes and still a very lengthy, fine acidity to it. Very much still tucked up and in need of more time to aged and expand from where it’s at the moment. 92–94 pts.
Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media, vinous.com <span>Jan. 7, 2022</span>
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. 98 pts.
2018 VHR, Vine Hill Ranch “Extended Barrel Age” Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Extended Age is the same wine as the straight VHR Cabernet, but shaped through an extra year in barrel. That time in oak has added notable mid-palate richness, sweetness and body, but also taken away just a bit of energy. In 2018, the first year both wines were made, the two Cabernets are not that materially different. Perhaps they will be in other years. We will see. What is obvious is that this is a very special wine. 98 pts.
Jancis Robinson, JancisRobinson.com <span>Nov. 13, 2021</span>
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++ pts. Drinking window: 2024–2045
J. D’Angelo, International Wine Report <span>March 2021</span>
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. 98 pts.
Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media, vinous.com <span>Jan. 7, 2021</span>
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon has filled out beautifully since I tasted it a year ago. Rich, sumptuous and enveloping, the 2018 captivates all the senses with its sensual personality. All the Vine Hill Ranch signatures come through so beautifully. The 2018 possesses tremendous intensity as it continues to open in the glass, revealing myriad shades of nuance. Black cherry, lavender, spice and chocolate all flesh out on a wine that balances the sumptuousness of the 2012 with some of the energy (but not the size) of the 2013. 98 pts.
2018 VHR, Vine Hill Ranch “Extended Age” Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon “Extended Age” is a four barrel lot of the final blend (the same wine as the bottled 2018) that will spend an extra year in wood. Deep, dense and explosive, with tremendous energy backing its sumptuous fruit, the 2018 is dazzling today. Hints of gravel, spice, lavender and plum build into the intense finish. I can hardly wait to see this in bottle. 97–100 pts.