Assessment
2016 Cabernet Sauvignon
Oakville
The VHR, Vine Hill Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon is an estate-grown wine of place, the culmination of the Phillips family’s evolution from grapegrowing to winemaking over three generations. Years of traversing vineyard rows and caring for each of Vine Hill Ranch’s seven blocks have imbued a deep understanding of our 70-acre estate vineyard’s unique characteristics. While 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the VHR Cabernet Sauvignon is an annual compilation of the vineyard's unique variety of winegrape plantings along the benchland and hillside slope of the Mayacamas range in Oakville. The 2016 Assessment bottling offers a distinct opportunity to discern the exceptional characteristics of Vine Hill Ranch's Block 6A, located on the hillside slope on ashen soils that we refer to as "moon dust."
Winemaker, VHR, Vine Hill Ranch
Raised in California's wine country with family roots in Luxembourg, Francoise received an enology degree from UC Davis. After post-graduate work at the University of Bordeaux and an apprenticeship at Chateau Haut-Brion, Francoise returned to the Napa Valley.
In 1993, Francoise joined Araujo Estate, soon stepping into the role of winemaker. The reputation of the vineyard and the Phillips Family's determination to craft a wine of place drew Francoise to VHR in 2008.
Country born: United States
Education: UC Davis
University of Bordeaux
Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years
Honors / Awards:
SF Chronicle Winemaker of the Year (2020)
Winemaking Philosophy:
I collaborate closely in the field with vineyard manager, Michael Wolf, to cultivate a wine that is dynamic, powerful and elegant; a soulful expression of the site.
4140 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield CA 93309
661-633-9463
Premiere Napa Valley Wine Collection
Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Taplin Cellars | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | E. Lewelling Taplin | 24 |
Nellcôte | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Wild Card | 23 |
Hestan Vineyards | 2017 | Grenache | Napa Valley | Estate | 22 |
Kelly Fleming Wines | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | 22 | |
VHR, Vine Hill Ranch | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Assessment | 22 |
THE DEBATE | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 21 | |
Kelly Fleming Wines | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | 20 | |
Oakville Ranch Vineyards | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Cole Cannonball | 20 |
VHR, Vine Hill Ranch | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Assessment | 20 |
Dos Lagos Vineyards | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Atlas Peak | 19 | |
Salvestrin | 2012 | Red Wine | St. Helena | 20th Anniversary Blend | 19 |
Stone The Crows | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 19 | |
Etude | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Vine Hill Ranch | 18 |
Ovid Napa Valley | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 18 | |
VHR, Vine Hill Ranch | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Assessment | 18 |
Ladera Vineyards | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Two Mountains | 17 |
Lail Vineyards | 2011 | Sauvignon Blanc | Napa Valley | Henry IV | 17 |
Paradigm Winery | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 17 | |
Quintessa | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Dragon’s Terraces | 17 |
Spottswoode Estate Vineyard and Winery | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | 17 | |
VHR, Vine Hill Ranch | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Assessment | 17 |
Etude | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 16 | |
Lail Vineyards | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Henry III | 16 |
Laird Family Estate | 2010 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | 16 | |
Miner Family Winery | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 16 | |
VHR, Vine Hill Ranch | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Assessment | 16 |
Artesa Winery | 1999 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Bookends Blend | 6 |
Oakford Vineyards | 1997 | Cabernet Sauvignon (100%) | Oakville | 3 |
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