![Snowden Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 [1.5L MAGNUM ] (Napa Valley, California) - [ST 90-93] [RP 92] [WS 91]](http://artisan.wine/cdn/shop/products/snowdenranchcabernetsauv07-w-2_cce697e9-ffbe-49a5-84e4-7843fe128c31_{width}x.jpg?v=1646956742)
Snowden Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 [1.5L MAGNUM ]
(Napa Valley, California) - [ST 90-93] [RP 92] [WS 91]
Regular price $180.00 Sale price $169.97 Save $10.03
Notes from the Winemaker (2007 vintage):
Our 2007 Reserve was assembled using only Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The bouquet of the 2007 Reserve opens with waves of currant, dark fruits and spices. On the palate it is rich, dense, smooth and focused. The tannins are sweet, seamless and accompanied by opulent, fresh black fruits. The wine can be enjoyed young or for the next 10 - 15 years.
Blend: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc
Barrel Aging: 20 Months French
Case Production: 1,000 cases made
Our 2007 Reserve was assembled using only Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The bouquet of the 2007 Reserve opens with waves of currant, dark fruits and spices. On the palate it is rich, dense, smooth and focused. The tannins are sweet, seamless and accompanied by opulent, fresh black fruits. The wine can be enjoyed young or for the next 10 - 15 years.
Blend: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc
Barrel Aging: 20 Months French
Case Production: 1,000 cases made
Ratings & Reviews:
90-93 Points - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar:
"Good medium ruby. Aromas of dark cherry, smoke, graphite and rocky minerality, lifted by a violet topnote. Juicy, spicy and sharply delineated, with lovely floral lift contributing to the impression of clarity and giving the wine a light touch. A nicely broad midweight with captivating floral perfume and fine-grained but firm tannins. Snowden told me that at first she thought the 2008s were a lot like the 2006s-i.e., wines from tiny berries that were tannic and tightly wound in the early going. "But now I think that '08 will be a nice early drinker, without quite the same structure or richness as 2007." I liked this wine's aromatic lift and refinement." -Stephen Tanzer (May/Jun '10)
92 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"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." - Robert Parker (Dec 2010)
91 Points - Wine Spectator Magazine:
"Sleek and refined, with a tart edge to the currant and wild berry flavors. Medium- to full-bodied, this is a wine of finesse and grace, finishing with a watermelon candy edge. A good bet to improve. Best from 2012 through 2022. 1,075 cases made." –JL (Nov 15, 2011)
94+ Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (2009 vintage):
"The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is drop-dead gorgeous. Dark red fruit, tobacco, flowers and licorice emerge from this massive, powerful wine. The Reserve fleshes out beautifully on the palate as the fruit gains dimension and volume. Hints of licorice, menthol and tar wrap around the powerful, structured finish. This is a dazzling showing from Snowden. The 2009 harvest was not an easy one, but Diana Snowden Seysses did a brilliant job coping with the October rains. In 2009 the blend is 75.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19.1% Merlot, 3.8% Cabernet Franc and 1.6 % Petit Verdot. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2029." - Antonio Galloni (Dec 2011)
97+ Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (2007 vintage):
"The dazzling 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Cabernet Franc) requires 2-5 more years of bottle age, but should evolve for three decades. Its dense purple color is accompanied by a thrilling bouquet of espresso roast, smoked herbs, licorice, creme de cassis, blackberries, and ink. The wine hits the palate with a blast of fruit, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and tremendous purity, definition, and length. The sensational purity and exquisite balance between all its elements are impressive as well as noteworthy.
The following notes confirm what I wrote last year about this somewhat under-the-radar winery. Snowden produces just under 2,000 cases of extraordinary wine from their 23 acres of hillside vineyards on the eastern side of Napa, above the Auberge du Soleil. Proprietor Scott Snowden and his daughter, Diane (whose permanent home is in Burgundy), along with consultant David Ramey have fashioned superb reds along with a delicious, French-inspired Sauvignon Blanc. For Napa Cabernets, Snowden’s wines are relatively great bargains for their quality." -Robert Parker (12/2009)
93 Points - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (2007 vintage)):
"($75; an 86/14 blend of cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc) Good full medium ruby. Expressive aromas of cassis, graphite and spices. Lush and sweet on entry, then much more complex in the middle palate than the Ranch bottling, with spicy red and darker fruit flavors complemented by chocolate and loam. Finishes very broad, with sweet, pliant tannins and excellent persistence. Happily, the Napa Valley extravagant pricing flu hasn't spread to this producer yet." -Stephen Tanzer (May/Jun '10)
92-94 Points - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (2007 vintage):
"Good full red-ruby. Flamboyant aromas of currant, licorice, dark chocolate and roasted coffee. Sweet, dense and thick, with superripe flavors of black raspberry, dark chocolate and exotic spices. A bit chunkier than the Ranch, and showing more new oak and more obvious tannins today, but this also offers superb potential." -Stephen Tanzer (May/Jun '09)
94 Points - Wine Spectator Magazine (2006 vintage):
"A touch earthy at first, but the flavors build and expand, with a medley of herb and mineral joined by dry currant, cedar and spice. Very Pauillac-like in its structure, balance and restraint. Keeps getting better with every sip. Best from 2010 through 2017. 1,000 cases made." –JL (6/31/2009)
"Good medium ruby. Aromas of dark cherry, smoke, graphite and rocky minerality, lifted by a violet topnote. Juicy, spicy and sharply delineated, with lovely floral lift contributing to the impression of clarity and giving the wine a light touch. A nicely broad midweight with captivating floral perfume and fine-grained but firm tannins. Snowden told me that at first she thought the 2008s were a lot like the 2006s-i.e., wines from tiny berries that were tannic and tightly wound in the early going. "But now I think that '08 will be a nice early drinker, without quite the same structure or richness as 2007." I liked this wine's aromatic lift and refinement." -Stephen Tanzer (May/Jun '10)
92 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"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." - Robert Parker (Dec 2010)
91 Points - Wine Spectator Magazine:
"Sleek and refined, with a tart edge to the currant and wild berry flavors. Medium- to full-bodied, this is a wine of finesse and grace, finishing with a watermelon candy edge. A good bet to improve. Best from 2012 through 2022. 1,075 cases made." –JL (Nov 15, 2011)
94+ Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (2009 vintage):
"The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is drop-dead gorgeous. Dark red fruit, tobacco, flowers and licorice emerge from this massive, powerful wine. The Reserve fleshes out beautifully on the palate as the fruit gains dimension and volume. Hints of licorice, menthol and tar wrap around the powerful, structured finish. This is a dazzling showing from Snowden. The 2009 harvest was not an easy one, but Diana Snowden Seysses did a brilliant job coping with the October rains. In 2009 the blend is 75.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19.1% Merlot, 3.8% Cabernet Franc and 1.6 % Petit Verdot. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2029." - Antonio Galloni (Dec 2011)
97+ Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (2007 vintage):
"The dazzling 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Cabernet Franc) requires 2-5 more years of bottle age, but should evolve for three decades. Its dense purple color is accompanied by a thrilling bouquet of espresso roast, smoked herbs, licorice, creme de cassis, blackberries, and ink. The wine hits the palate with a blast of fruit, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and tremendous purity, definition, and length. The sensational purity and exquisite balance between all its elements are impressive as well as noteworthy.
The following notes confirm what I wrote last year about this somewhat under-the-radar winery. Snowden produces just under 2,000 cases of extraordinary wine from their 23 acres of hillside vineyards on the eastern side of Napa, above the Auberge du Soleil. Proprietor Scott Snowden and his daughter, Diane (whose permanent home is in Burgundy), along with consultant David Ramey have fashioned superb reds along with a delicious, French-inspired Sauvignon Blanc. For Napa Cabernets, Snowden’s wines are relatively great bargains for their quality." -Robert Parker (12/2009)
93 Points - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (2007 vintage)):
"($75; an 86/14 blend of cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc) Good full medium ruby. Expressive aromas of cassis, graphite and spices. Lush and sweet on entry, then much more complex in the middle palate than the Ranch bottling, with spicy red and darker fruit flavors complemented by chocolate and loam. Finishes very broad, with sweet, pliant tannins and excellent persistence. Happily, the Napa Valley extravagant pricing flu hasn't spread to this producer yet." -Stephen Tanzer (May/Jun '10)
92-94 Points - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (2007 vintage):
"Good full red-ruby. Flamboyant aromas of currant, licorice, dark chocolate and roasted coffee. Sweet, dense and thick, with superripe flavors of black raspberry, dark chocolate and exotic spices. A bit chunkier than the Ranch, and showing more new oak and more obvious tannins today, but this also offers superb potential." -Stephen Tanzer (May/Jun '09)
94 Points - Wine Spectator Magazine (2006 vintage):
"A touch earthy at first, but the flavors build and expand, with a medley of herb and mineral joined by dry currant, cedar and spice. Very Pauillac-like in its structure, balance and restraint. Keeps getting better with every sip. Best from 2010 through 2017. 1,000 cases made." –JL (6/31/2009)