VHR, Napa Valley, 2022
VHR 2022 brings together the hillside blocks of 1 & 6, with the more classically benchland blocks 3, 4 & 6, resulting in a wine of exceptional complexity and depth, with a seam of mineral tension threaded through its core. Revealing multiple layers of interest as it sits in the glass, from intense dark small berries, to notes of sage and dry hillside woodland, dark plum, and spice, there's plenty to hold the interest, while the plushness of the lower blocks provides wonderful supple coating to the fine taut tannic spine and dark graphite like minerality.
critic reviews
The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon is bold and super-expressive right out of the gate. Dark red/purplish fruit, lavender, licorice, mocha and spice open gradually with a bit of coaxing. There is a bit of edginess in the tannins for a wine with such mid-weight structure. Hopefully, time in bottle will take care of that. This is a solid effort for the year. Harvest took place from August 30 to September 5.
According to Managing Partner Bruce Phillips, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon from Vine Hill Ranch includes only fruit that was picked prior to the Labor Day heat spike. Gentle vanilla shadings accent an attractive mix of red and black cherries on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is concentrated and silky. This really seems to have it all, with a touch of warmth and some chocolaty notes on the lingering finish. It's a really solid effort.
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2022 VHR Cabernet Sauvignon needs a little patient swirling to coax out scents of blackcurrant jelly, licorice, tar, and ripe plums, leading to suggestions of cedar chest, graphite, lavender oil, and cumin seed. The full-bodied palate is densely packed with muscular black fruits, supported by firm, grainy tannins and well-knit acidity, finishing on a persistent mineral note. Forget it in the cellar for a good 4-5 years and then enjoy it over the next 20-25 years+. This will be one of the longer lived 2022s!
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon bursts from the glass with bombastic notions of creme de cassis, blueberry compote, lilacs, and star anise with touches of garrigue and cast-iron pan. The full-bodied palate is jam packed with black and blue fruit preserves, framed by firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing long and opulent. This is richer and more structured than the 2021.