Snowden "The Ranch" Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

"Snowden's 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon The Ranch is one of the bigger, juicier wines readers will come across in this vintage. Mocha, chocolate, spices, plums and black cherries seem to literally jump from the glass. Merlot plays a pretty important role in the 2010, which gives the wine much of its roundness and early accessibility. Round, expressive and racy, the 2010 Ranch is a terrific effort from Snowden."

Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024.

Robert Parker : 2010 Snowden "The Ranch" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
92 points

From Diana Snowden Seysses- 2010

"2010 got off to a slow start; cool and wet weather patterns persisted through May, delaying budbreak. In June the rain stopped and we enjoyed even temperatures during flowering, making for excellent fruit set. Summer continued, cool with foggy skies, with the exception of two extreme heat spikes, one in August and one in September. Exposed and unshaded fruit raisined creating a great deal of work for our vineyard team which had to sort out the desiccated fruit before harvest. The fruit that did reach the crush pad was of excellent quality. It had enjoyed a long, mostly cool growing season and had reached optimum ripeness at level of brix lower than usual.

Harvest began Oct 8th for the Merlot and finished Oct 18th for the Cabernet, just before the rains. The grapes were picked by hand. Fermentation began naturally a little over one week after picking. The wines were pressed 10 to 14 days later and were transferred to French oak barrels; 50% new for the Reserve, 30% new for the Ranch. They immediately showed themselves to be classic, elegant Snowden Cabernets, both with ripe flavors, vibrancy and poise. They were bottled, unfiltered, May 2012."

Winemaker's Notes

The Ranch- 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
This wine was composed of our 'Lost Orchard' Vineyard, Merlot and our Press wine. It has an exuberant nose of dark plums, blackberries and violet. On the palate it is rich, round and spicy. It is a wine that is intended to be drunk upon release and for the next 5 years.

Varietal Blend	75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
Quantity	1600 cases