2021 Vine Hill Ranch VHR Cabernet Sauvignon

Incredible season, light yielding (perhaps because of the 60-day orange haze in 2020). Vineyard manager Mike Wolf says that by 2021 the vines were recovering from the drought. Such a relief. No rush to pick. Light rainfall during the summer but not worryingly so. 7–21 September harvest. The growing season felt very normal at last. Back to the strong oyster-shells nose. High toned and sweet and gentle with muscular structure. Juicy with some inkiness on the end. Slightly vegy note on the end. Transparent and pure. Extended Barrel Age cask sample : 12 extra months in barrel, 50% new. A little deeper-flavoured on the nose and gentler on the palate. Seems a bit more concentrated than the regular bottling. (JR)

Deep purple in colour. Brooding black cherry and black plum with orange zest and clove spice. Intensely structured on the palate with firm lightly sandy tannin and well-balanced acidity that covers the whole palate lifting it and bringing ample freshness. Long, savoury finish with fresh thyme and oak spice. Very impressive. (SCJ)

Scheduled to be released in February 2024, VHR's 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is another fabulous wine from the Phillips family and winemaker Françoise Peschon. On the nose, it's a bit restrained, with a subtle herbal perfume, hints of peppery spice and a concentrated mix of red and black cherries. In the mouth, the wine is similarly composed and polite, being medium to full-bodied, silky and taut in feel, balanced and elegant on the lingering finish.