2019 Baker & Hamilton Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

WSI95+ VIN93 The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is a new wine made by the Phillips family, owners of Vine Hill Ranch, and winemaker Françoise Peschon. It is without question one of the most impressive debuts I tasted this year. Silky and gracious, the 2019 is a wonderfully understated, classy Cabernet that shows the more restrained side of the year in its super-classic mid-weight feel. Cedar, tobacco and sweet floral notes add gorgeous inner perfume. With the Baker & Hamilton Cabernet, the Phillipses aim to make a wine that will work well in restaurants and retail shops, so all of the wine is sold through distribution rather than direct. You don’t have to have a Nobel Prize to figure out what the vineyard source is. Let’s leave it at that.
Aged for 23 months in 100% French oak, 85% new. 780 cases produced.

Sourced from the 70-acre vineyard on Bruce and Heather Phillips’ western Oakville property. Mostly from the eastern bench where deeper soils prevail. Very densely planted vineyard to stress the vines and get maximum power from the fruit.

Vine Hill Ranch was founded in 1959 when Bruce’s father, Bob Phillips, began farming grapes. Most of the fruit continues to be sold to longtime winery clients as well as some newer ones (Tor, Harlan, Accendo, Colgin). Since 2008, the Phillips family has been producing their own estate Cabernet (VHR). 

The winemaker is Francoise Peschon (2021 Vinous Media Winemaker of the Year). Vineyard manager is Mike Wolf.