2001 Snowden Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

The 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is a fascinating wine to taste, as it harkens back to a much earlier period in the winery's history. At the time, most of this fruit went to Stags Leap Wine Cellars, and the Snowden wines were made by John Gibson. In tasting, the 2001 comes across as rather old-school. Leather, tobacco, smoke, wild cherry and incense give the 2001 quite a bit of aromatic presence, with a bright acid twang on the finish that is most likely the result of acidification. All that said, the 2001 has aged impeccably. Dollops of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot round out the blend.