Windy Hill Ranch
Memento Mori
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
One of the best wines and Cabernets in the tasting. Made by Sam Kaplan. 95-97 with 10 years of proper cellaring.
It is blended from the following sites; Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard, Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard, Vine Hill Ranch Vineyard, Weitz Vineyard, and Oakville Ranch Vineyard. Not inexpensive $300.
The name, Memento Mori, is taken from an ancient Latin philosophy that reminds us of our mortality and the inevitability of death. So, forgo patience, I guess?
WS Grand Tour Las Vegas 2025. — 6 months ago
Anthill Farms
Campbell Ranch Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021
First of all Kudos to Ant Hill love the wax seal over cork! Deep Ruby with aromas of dark Berry fruits with notes of herbs, citrus, floral and earthy spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and cherry, tea, vanilla and herb tones, well balanced with acidity. Firm fine tannins on a long finish ending with fruit and floral herb character. Very nice! Will age well! — 2 years ago
Once & Future Wines
Old Hill Ranch Zinfandel 2019
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour the 2019 Old Hill Ranch pour a deep ruby color with a translucent core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of mixed brambles, red flowers, black pepper and a mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. This has been my favorite expression of Zinfandel from Once & Future. Drink now through 2039+.  — 4 months ago
Vine Hill Ranch
Baker & Hamilton Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
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 and 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. — 8 months ago
Vine Hill Ranch
Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
The Winemaker Dinner: Francoise Peschon
5 WINES FROM HER NAPA PORTFOLIO:
2023 Accendo Laurea Sav Blanc
2021 Baker & Hamilton cab
2019 Cornell cab
2019 Heimark cab
2019 Vine Hill cab
FOOD:
Blufin tuna Tostada
Pepper crusted Elk tartare
Venison smash
Braised wild Boar leg
Bison NY strip steak
Mocha passionfruit opera cake — 3 months ago
Bucklin
Old Hill Ranch Ancient Field Blend 2020
15.3% ABV Dark red color, legs, black & red fruit. Nice long finish. — 2 years ago
Stuart Pollack
Nice California Chardonnay with layers of oak and vanilla. Cream and fruit. Great value under $25. — 8 days ago