| Domaine Name | Snowden |
| Location | St Helena, Napa, California |
| Country | United States |
| Winemaker | Diana Snowden Seysses |
| Hectares | 24 |
| Total Appellations | Three wines made from four vineyards |
| Interesting Fact | Diana is also the winemaker in Morey-St-Denis for Domaine Dujac |
| Link | www.snowdenvineyards.com/ourWines-overview.htm |
The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon The Ranch (composed of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and a dollop of Petit Verdot) offers up aromas of burning embers, blackberries, cassis, licorice, and a touch of bouquet garni. The complex aromatics are followed by a full-bodied wine displaying velvety tannin, and a bold finish with considerable depth as well as length. Drink this excellent Napa Cabernet over the next 15-20 years.
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.
92 points Robert Parker
Price: £32.95 per bottle | Per Case: £290.00ib/12
The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon The Ranch (95% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot) is a soft, fruity, endearing Cabernet offering up notes of cedarwood, licorice, tobacco leaf, black currants and cherries. Consume this medium-bodied effort over the next decade or more.
89 points Robert Parker
Price: £34.95 per bottle | Per Case: £310.00ib/12
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.
95 points Robert Parker
Price: £52.00 per bottle | Per Case: £240.00ib/6
A dramatic upgrade, the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve exhibits aromas of creme de cassis, burning embers, licorice and smoked herbs. It ratchets up the body, concentration and depth yet possesses silky smooth tannins and a forward style. This beauty should drink well for 15+ years.
While Snowden’s 2008s do not approach their brilliant 2007s in quality, they are very strong efforts from this 22-acre vineyard (11 acres are in the process of being replanted). Moreover, the 2009s look to eclipse the 2008s.
92 points Robert Parker
Price: £59.95 per bottle | Per Case: £550.00ib/12
The medium-bodied 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa is an outstanding example from this excessively maligned vintage. It possesses an opaque purple color, great fruit, superb density, soaring aromas of sweet fruitcake, coffee, and cassis, supple tannin, and a long, concentrated finish. It will drink well for 10-15 years.
90 points Robert Parker
Price: £85.00 per bottle