Great concentration is the hallmark of this structured, dark and ageworthy estate-grown wine from a vineyard long sought after by other producers. From a dense aroma of tightly packed fruit, oak and espresso it moves to powerful dark chocolate, dried black cherry and dark mineral flavors wrapped in burly tannins. Best 2027–2040.

The 2020 VHR achieves a dramatic balance of opulence and structure. Leading with plump dark fruit, fragrant brown spices, capsicum and bay laurel. Full-bodied with satiny black fruit framed by firm, present tannins that build on the finish. There’s a suede-like swagger about this one, downright muscular and deserving of a good decanting—a nice showing for the vintage. Harvested from Blocks 1, 3, 4, and 6, and all before September 25. Vine Hill Ranch in Oakville is owned by the Philips family, who have been growers since 1959 and is a source for such producers as Harlan’s BOND Estate, TOR Wines, Dadlla Valle’s DVO, and Colgin, among other esteemed Napa producers. The vineyard manager is Mike Wolf, and winemaker Françoise Peschon produces the VHR wine.

Derived from grapes picked between August 24 and September 25, there are limited quantities of VHR's 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon. It's a bit minty and herbal, with hints of crushed stone accenting mixed red and black cherries. It's medium to full-bodied but comes across as taut and firm, even a touch austere. It's an excellent effort, although I do wonder if the tannins will ever truly relax.