TOR‘Vine Hill Ranch Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

This vineyard is part of vintner Tor Kenward’s 40-year history in the Napa Valley. Tor knew its early stewards, Bob and Alex Phillips, who bought the vineyard in 1959 and made it one of Napa Valley’s stars in the 80s and 90s. The vineyard was first planted in 1884 and is a perfect site for Bordeaux varietals. They now work with their son, Bruce Phillips, in Block 7, where they have an acre of old vine Cabernet Sauvignon and 3D, just beneath the Bond Vecina block, with just over an acre of Cabernet Sauvignon and just under an acre of Petit Verdot. Block 7 is the gravelliest block in Vine Hill Ranch, with mature vines planted around twenty years ago, giving a wine of singular structure, depth, and definition. The 2019 “reveals a very deep, opaque purple color and vivacious, fruity scents of crushed blueberries, black raspberries, warm plums and cassis plus nuances of menthol, dark chocolate and pencil lead. Full-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-coating, ripe black fruits with minty sparks and a firm, grainy texture, finishing long and with lovely purity.” -Robert Parker Wine Advocate.