2022 Baker and Hamilton Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Baker & Hamilton is the more accessible, restaurant-facing Cabernet from the Phillips family, longtime stewards of Vine Hill Ranch, one of Oakville's most storied and sought-after vineyards. The wine takes its name from the historic hardware and agricultural implements company co-founded in the 19th century by the family's ancestor, and the connection runs deeper than naming alone: the family farms its Oakville estate, established in 1959, using implements descended from designs once manufactured under the original Baker & Hamilton brand. The label itself carries images of these old tools, pulled directly from the company's vintage catalogs. Crafted by acclaimed winemaker Francoise Peschon, the 2022 vintage arrives from a growing season widely regarded as one of Napa Valley's finest in years, often spoken of in the same breath as the celebrated 2013. A prolonged drought left soils with reduced moisture, producing smaller canopies and a modest crop, while a mild August and September allowed for slow, extended ripening in the vineyard, resulting in fruit of real depth, nuance and character. In the glass, the wine shows a deep garnet purple hue. The nose is vivid and inviting, with crushed black cherry, boysenberry preserves and blueberry pie leading the way, framed by hints of anise, sandalwood, dusty soil and dark currant. Underlying notes of cedar, tobacco leaf and a touch of chocolate add further dimension. On the palate it is full-bodied and richly fruited, with plush, well-managed tannins and enough natural freshness to keep the wine lively rather than heavy, finishing long and gently spiced.