2007 Snowden Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley The Ranch
92-94(WA) The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon The Ranch (a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and small amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot) exhibits the extraordinary fragrance, purity, and seamless personality of Bordeaux varietals in this vintage. Full-bodied without any hard edges, this is a remarkably rich, complex, exceptionally pure wine that will get even better with time. It should ultimately eclipse the 2006 because of the nobility of the tannins. Qualitatively, Snowden is an awakening giant, but as is the case with
many Napa estates, production is limited (1,000 cases of The Ranch and 700 of the Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve). These cuvees are produced from one of Napa’s most privileged sites, 23 acres of beautiful hillside vineyards above the Auberge du Soleil, and adjacent to the Sloan and Hall properties. Proprietor Scott Snowden, working with his gifted daughter, Diane (who is married to Jeremy Seysses of Domaine Dujac), and consultant David Ramey, is pushing the pedal to the metal at Snowden. Robert Parker December 2008
92-94(ST)Deep ruby. Dark berries, licorice, chocolate, minerals, smoke and violet pastille on the sexy nose. Dense and sweet, with an exotic spicy oak character to the creamy flavors of dark berries and mocha. A very broad, tactile and deep cabernet that finishes with rich, sweet tannins, noteworthy persistence, and a strong impression of soil. Stephen Tanzer May 2009
This is a California wine.