The 2020 Vine Hill Ranch VHR Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California, presents a robust and complex profile typical of its region. Produced by VHR, this red wine with a 14.8% alcohol content has garnered considerable attention from critics, earning a range of high scores and detailed tasting notes.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it 93 points, highlighting its "minty and herbal" character with "hints of crushed stone accenting mixed red and black cherries." The review describes the wine as "taut and firm, even a touch austere," noting its tannic structure which may or may not soften over time (Joe Czerwinski, 2/1/2024).
Vinous also gave the wine 93 points, describing it as "dense, powerful and unyielding." The review emphasizes its "black cherry, chocolate, licorice, graphite, bay leaf and dried herbs" and the challenging conditions of the 2020 vintage, which resulted in "pretty imposing" tannins (Antonio Galloni, 2/1/2023).
Jeb Dunnuck, who also rated it 93 points, praised its "good ripeness in its darker currants, chocolate, violets, and graphite-driven aromatics." Dunnuck noted its "medium to full-bodied richness, ripe, polished tannins, solid overall balance, and a great finish," and mentioned it appears "completely smoke free" (12/26/2023).
Wine Spectator's review echoed these sentiments with another 93-point score. It highlighted "warmed cassis and plum reduction notes" complemented by "warm loam, bay leaf and tobacco accents" and a "broad, earth-tinged finish" (JM, 11/15/2023).
In contrast, Wine Enthusiast provided an exceptional review, awarding the wine 97 points. The review highlighted its "great concentration," "structured, dark and ageworthy" nature, and noted flavors of "powerful dark chocolate, dried black cherry, and dark mineral flavors wrapped in burly tannins" (Jim Gordon, 10/1/2023).
Decanter also praised the wine with a 95-point score, describing it as achieving "a dramatic balance of opulence and structure," with "plump dark fruit, fragrant brown spices, capsicum and bay laurel." The review mentioned its "suede-like swagger" and recommended decanting for the best experience (7/11/2023).
Lastly, The Wine Independent gave it 95+ points, emphasizing its "bright, vivacious red and black cherry notes," "classic cassis, wild sage, and cedar-scented core," and "fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness" (Lisa Perrotti-Brown, 5/18/2023).
Overall, the 2020 Vine Hill Ranch VHR Cabernet Sauvignon is a well-regarded wine that showcases the complexity and depth of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, with particular praise for its rich fruit flavors, structured tannins, and potential for aging.