David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

My first wine after a two-month hiatus. I ended up buying a case of this in increments at Costco for a price not even close to what I’ve seen anywhere else for their 2021. Since I think highly of this producer and the vintage, I didn’t bat an eye acquiring w/o tasting first. Also, I was aware that every major wine critic gave the 2021 VHR flagship Cabernet a score of 98 w/ Lisa @ TWI a 💯.

Only coravined a glass & let it stand for 30-40 minutes and consumed over the next half-hour detailing my notes.

Baker & Hamilton is the other or second wine of VHR depending on how you see it. If you didn’t know this was another or second wine, you would never know it. Both bottling's come front the same vineyard in Oakville.

When I first put the glass to my nose, I almost thought for a few seconds & wanted to say that’s Coombsville it’s that dark & brooding, but make no mistake it’s Oakville fruit.

The nose is full & brooding. Dark currants & cassis and inky as is the color. Candied violets leap out of the glass. Ripe rich; blackberries, black raspberries & black plum, dark cherries wrapped in dark chocolate. Sandalwood, sweet tarriness, fresh tobacco, crushed limestone, volcanics, dark spices with aromatic heat, clove oil w/ withering dark flowers, sweet lavender & endless lift of candied, lush violets.

The body is full, lush, ripe & brooding. It drinks rather well for such a young wine baring a bit of alcohol throat burn. 14.8% ABV. Cellaring time will tame it. The 21 is a two decade and more wine. It needs 7-8 years to integrate everything in this full & packed Cabernet. Lush, ripe; blackberries (almost pie), black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum & raspberries around the edges. Melted dark chocolate, anise into black licorice, dark spices w/ heat, clove oil, nutmeg, cinnamon stick hovers, vanillin, fresh & dry tobacco, dry top soil with limestone mixed in, crushed rock & stone, strong sandalwood to cedar, light rain on clay, dry herbs-bay leaf & a hint of ground sage, notes of iron pan, dark withering flowers, lavender & candied violets for days, round acidity-maybe a bit to high for today’s consumption, huge length & structure, not quite in balance but it will get there, well made/knitted with a full elegant finish that lasts minutes & lands on spice & earthiness. It’s a huge wine that will end up adding two points as it evolves & integrates.

A few things about the producer & this wine. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Vine Hill Ranch Vineyard aged 23 months in French oak, 85% of which was new. Most of the Vine Hill Ranch fruit from 71-acre Oakville vineyard is sold off. What they keep, 40% of that fruit goes into their VHR flagship wine and 60% makes the Baker & Hamilton. The label of Baker & Hamilton is an homage to the hardware and agricultural implements of the company co-founded by third-generation grape grower Bruce Phillips’ great, great grandfather R.M. Hamilton, who emigrated from Scotland to California in 1849 hoping to make his fortune in gold.

Photo’s of, VHR vineyard, Bruce Phillips-Managing Partner and Winemaker-Francoise Peschon. — 9 days ago

Marta

9.1

Great Merlot. — 4 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Blend of Pinotage (84%) and Cinsault (16%). Interesting Garnet/Magenta/Ruby color. Aromas of sour berry/cherry fruit, wet stones and a funky (not unpleasant) musky note. Juicy red cherry, cranberry and pomegranate fruit on the palate with hints of mineral and earth. Very tangy on the medium finish. Fine tannins and soft texture. Quite fresh tasting and complex. No signs of oak aging. Two very complimentary blending partners. Interesting. — 21 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Jack and Jamie Davies revived the historic vineyards and cellars in 1965, with a goal to produce world-class sparkling wines, passing torch to their son Hugh. A blend of mostly Pinot Noir and <20% Chardonnay (blend varies each year) with stone and berry fruit aromas and earthy spice. On the palate the light mousse shows raspberry, peach and mango flavors with nutty biscuit and slight baking spice notes. Long finish, lively acidity ending with citrus and yeasty tones. — 5 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Limited notes from my 70th birthday. From magnum. A classic Yarra Valley Cabernet Blend which is early in its drinking window. Medium bodied with red stalky tomato leaf savoury fruits. — 2 years ago

Robert Evans Jr

9.3

@Hugh O'Riordan This is for you! — 4 years ago

with Nicole

Eric Urbani

9.2

Love the special character of these South African Chards — 2 months ago

Geoff Buswick

9.2

Plum jam with a nice dry finish. — 3 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Jack and Jamie Davies revived the historic vineyards and cellars in 1965. Today, their son Hugh, continues their mission. 100% Chardonnay pale straw color with aromas of stone fruits, floral and citrus notes. A terrific crisp sparkler with crisp apple, peach and lemon flavors, fine mousse with tiny bubbles. Tangy acidity on a long finish ending with a yeasty creamy character. Nice! — 6 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

See previous note from 96 weeks ago where I said that I would drink the last one when my son Hugh was home from NY (born 1987) which came to pass last night. Overall not as impressive as the previous tasting but retains its silky tannin structure. Very dark in colour - opaque. Notes of cassis and pipe tobacco - overall dusty without the depth of fruit of the previous tasting. Just medium bodied. Tasting Book recommend a drinking window till 2035 which I would not agree with. Leads me to think I will be drinking my bottles of 86 Mouton sooner rather than later. — 3 years ago