Baker and HamiltonOakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

Baker & Hamilton is a compelling new offering from the Phillips family, owners of the legendary Vine Hill Ranch Vineyard. Exclusively sourced from Vine Hill Ranch, Baker & Hamilton is a nostalgic tribute to the family’s deep roots in California agriculture, named after the historic 19th-century hardware and tool company owned by the family’s ancestors. The wine is made by the same all-star team that makes VHR: winemaker Françoise Peschon and vineyard manager Mike Wolf. The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon is a masterclass in Oakville elegance, characterized by its vibrant energy and old school Napa soul. It opens with an enchanting bouquet of red currants, dried herbs, and a hint of dusty earth that leads into a palate defined by its lithe structure and silky tannins. Unlike the more brooding, structured nature of the VHR estate bottling, Baker & Hamilton is intentionally approachable and fresh, showing a brilliant balance of fruit purity and savory complexity. With only about 500 cases produced, this 2023 release is a rare opportunity to experience the precision of Vine Hill Ranch at a price that over-delivers for its elite Oakville pedigree.