2021 TOR Cabernet Sauvignon Vine Hill Ranch
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Tasting notes
99.7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 0.3% Petit Verdot. Tasted blind. Very deep crimson with a blueish tinge and some shading at the rim. Strong balsam notes and what seems like a herald of acidity. Quite a bit of luscious fruit and strong tannins on the end. Definitely sweeter than a red bordeaux would be. Slightly drying and inky on the end. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
80% new French oak for 20 months. Deep purple in colour. Soft sweet black-fruit profile on the nose with cedar spice and candied violets with a predictably viscous weightiness on the palate but then … there's so much savoury rockiness and the finish goes on forever. Supple tannins pulled tight by tense acidity. Sinew with plush baby fat. I'd love to see this with a few more years’ bottle age. (SCJ)
From an incredible vineyard in the southern part of Oakville, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Vine Hill Ranch Vineyard is about as silky and seamless as they come, with full-bodied aromas and flavors of red and black fruits, savory herbs, chocolate, and spicy wood. Coming from Blocks 3, 4, and 7, it has polished tannins, flawless overall balance, and a layered, majestic style that will keep for 20-25 years, although it's going to be impossible to resist with just 3-4 years of bottle age.
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Vine Hill Ranch Vineyard is fabulous. Dark and brooding, with tons of intensity, the 2021 is all class. In this edition, the TOR wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon blended from Blocks 3, 4 and 6, making it one of the very few wines from this site (aside from the VHR wine) that is made from several blocks. That practice allows for a high degree of fine-tuning, which very much comes through in this wine. I especially admire the energy here. This is the first vintage of TOR Vine Hill Ranch Cabernet that does not include a touch of Petit Verdot. Even so, it is incredibly special. Dark fruit, lavender, espresso, mocha, leather and dried herbs linger.