2017 Vine Hill Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
Another nightmare year of ‘maybe this climate change thing is real’. Hail in June and lots of voles! This was the year of wildfires late in the growing season. Deep blackish purple. Very intense nose, like an essence of that oyster-shell aroma. Very smooth tannins (which were initially very tough, apparently) and lovely balance. Sophisticated and quite gentle. (JR)
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Compared to the vintages on either side, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is the weaker link, but it's still an excellent wine. Hints of barrel char and dark chocolate join red berries on the nose, while the palate is full-bodied and concentrated, with some dusty tannins taking a prominent role on the finish.
Next to the other wines in the range the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon comes across as soft, fruity and easygoing. Juicy dark cherry fruit, plum, spice, cedar and tobacco are all kicked up. The 2017 doesn’t have the nuance of the very best years, but it is developing positively while also gaining a bit more mid-palate richness than it showed as a young wine. The tannins have started to soften. I would prefer to drink it over the next decade or so.
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon VHR is slightly deep purple-hued and has a darker, smoky bouquet of blackberries, currants, scorched earth, violets, and toasty oak. These carry to a rich, full-bodied, concentrated wine with plenty of mid-palate depth, building yet ripe tannins, and a great finish. Give this elegant yet powerful 2017 4-5 years of bottle age and enjoy over the following two decades.