2006 Snowden Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
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Tasting notes
Dark ruby. Currant, minerals, dark chocolate, tobacco, loam, smoke, roast coffee and spicebox scents on the complex nose. Lush, concentrated and broad, with a seamless texture and a captivating restrained sweetness. A wine with serious stuffing, and a step up in intensity and suavity from the Ranch bottling. Finishes very long, with slowly mounting flavors and sweet tannins.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The prodigious 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 8+% Petit Verdot, and about 5% Cabernet Franc) reveals aromas of flowers, espresso roast, blackberries, and creme de cassis. This exuberant, rich, full-bodied Cabernet coats the palate, but is neither heavy nor overbearing. Sweet, substantial, well-integrated tannins along with decent acidity, and a stunningly long, 50-second finish make for a compelling glass of young, but promising Cabernet Sauvignon. This 2006 should hit its peak in 3-5 years, and last for 25 or more.. 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. Tel. and Fax: (707) 963-4292