2019 Tor Wines Vine Hill Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville, USA

Winemakers Notes The 2019 Vine Hill Ranch Cabernet is again one of the best examples of terroir. Every time I try it itjust simply tastes like Vine Hill and nothing else. This years shows thenclassic Vine Hill dried herbs and roasted red meats with sage, basil and fennel. This is slightly more black fruitedon the palate than most 2019 Cabernets which were more red fruits. The amazing texture and balance continuesto resonate through the long silky finish. Block 7 is the gravelliest block in Vine Hill Ranch, withmature vines planted around twenty years ago, giving a wine of singular structure, depth and definition. Classic TOR Winemaking, this wine is anextraordinary display of Napa Valley Cabernet. Matured in a mix of Taransaud and Darnajou small French oak barrels for twenty months, then bottledwithout fining or filtration.Press Rated 98 Points Jeb DunnuckThis site in Oakville has been firing on all cylinders recently, and the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Vine Hill Ranch (100% Cabernet From the rockiest section in the vineyard) is just another example of the incredible quality from the vineyard. Inky purple, its stunning bouquet of crème de cassis, graphite, lead pencil shaving, tobacco, and gravelly earth notes give way to a full-bodied, structured wine that reminds me a great vintage of Smith Haut Lafitte with its incredible earthy minerality as well as finesse and elegance. It needs 4-5 years of bottle age and will keep for 20-30 years.Rated 98 Points James SucklingAmazing aromas of blackcurrants, raspberries, blueberries, meat and black tea leaves. Medium to full body and compact, polished tannins. Creamy, velvety-textured palate that is long and persistent. Precise wine. Shows great potential for the future.Rated 95 Points Robert Parker's Wine AdvocateThe 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Vine Hill Ranch comes from Block 7, which has 20-year-old vines and a gravelly soil type. It spent about three weeks on the skins during and after fermentation and was matured in small French oak barrels for 20 months. Deep garnet-purple in color, it opens with opulent scents of kirsch, black raspberries, black currant cordial and Black Forest cake with hints of dried mint, tilled soil and black truffles. Medium to full-bodied, the wine completely coats the mouth with red and black fruit preserves layers, supported by firm grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing with a lively lift. 300 cases were made.