One of the famed sites in the Napa Valley, Vine Hill Ranch produces legendary Cabernet Sauvignon that is for those who love Napa with balance. It was back in 1978 that Alex and Robert (Bob) Phillips, moved to the Napa Valley to raise their family on the ranch that their grandfather, Bruce Kelham, bought some twenty years earlier and christened Vine Hill Ranch. The ranch itself dates back to 1884, as the annual plantings of grapevines, plums, pears, and other crops are woven in history through hand-scribed reports.
Winemaker Francoise Peschon has an enology degree from UC Davis and then completed post-graduate work at the University of Bordeaux. She then served an apprenticeship at Château Haut-Brion, before returning to the Napa Valley. Peschon has been at Vine Hill Ranch since 2008 and collaborates closely with vineyard manager, Michael Wolf. The new 2019 Vine Hill Ranch ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 98) is an extraordinary wine. This beauty is powerful but shows incredible grace and elegance. I can imagine this will easily cellar for another twenty years. Learn more about this historic Napa house at vinehillranch.com and here is my review of the new 2019 Vine Hill Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon.
2019 Vine Hill Ranch ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2019 Vine Hill Ranch ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon is an inky, powerful western Oakville wine from this outstanding vintage. Dusty soils and tobacco leaf fill the nose with shades of anise and graphite, with ripe boysenberry cordial tones that all meld in the glass. The palate is soft and seamless with a weightless quality once on the mid-palate. Showing impeccable balance, this finishes exceedingly long with a great combination of black fruits, tar and worn leather, with freshly tilled soils. Drink 2022-2044- 98