BY ANTONIO GALLONI | MAY 25, 2026 

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon was a surprise during my most recent visit to Vine Hill Ranch. Now approaching its tenth birthday, the 2016 is every bit as stunning as it always has been. The aromatics are just starting to show a touch of development, but the 2016 remains very young and full of life. It has aged beautifully, adding layers of complexity and showing just as ten-year-old Napa Valley Cabernet should. Dark-toned fruit, gravel, licorice, scorched earth and mocha are some of the many notes that start to emerge with some coaxing. 

Every time I encounter a wine I have scored highly in the past, I get a bit nervous. Will the wine be as great as it was when I first tasted it? In this case, the answer to the question is an unequivocal yes. The 2016 can be enjoyed now, but it has plenty of cellaring potential as well. It’s a magnificent achievement from the Phillips family and winemaker Françoise Peschon. 100/Drink 2026-2031.

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