I keep telling my friends I'm not a big fan of Cabernet Sauvignon. A lot of Cabs from the Southern hemisphere are a bit vegetal to me, as are some of the lower priced cabs I've had here and there. They don't have enough fruit, or the tannins are overwhelming and sometimes bitter. California Cab has the reputation of being too expensive, and so I don't usually bother - there are a lot of wines I like better at the price I'm willing to pay.
I now confess I was wrong. The Snowden Cabernet Sauvignon 'The Ranch' 2007 is outstanding and is reasonably priced (see California Cab prices!) at about $40. It's a big wine, with great fruit, excellent structure, an outstanding nose and beautiful color. Dark, deep purple, very opaque, very slow to show legs it coats the entire inside of the glass. Licorice is right at the front, along with dark blackberry, cassis, chocolate, pencil lead, and some smokiness. The flavors are intense, dark cherry, dark berries, spicy, with good flavor on the side and tip of the tongue that lasts and lasts. Good acidity, goes well with food (in this case pizza and wings, but I'd love it with a steak!) The tannins are certainly present, but they're not intrusive, and again, balanced with the fruit.
Parker rated it 95 points, and I have to agree that it's up there in the stratosphere of great wines I've tasted. Definitely a classic, but low production, and probably quite hard to find most places. Tasted December, 2009.
I now confess I was wrong. The Snowden Cabernet Sauvignon 'The Ranch' 2007 is outstanding and is reasonably priced (see California Cab prices!) at about $40. It's a big wine, with great fruit, excellent structure, an outstanding nose and beautiful color. Dark, deep purple, very opaque, very slow to show legs it coats the entire inside of the glass. Licorice is right at the front, along with dark blackberry, cassis, chocolate, pencil lead, and some smokiness. The flavors are intense, dark cherry, dark berries, spicy, with good flavor on the side and tip of the tongue that lasts and lasts. Good acidity, goes well with food (in this case pizza and wings, but I'd love it with a steak!) The tannins are certainly present, but they're not intrusive, and again, balanced with the fruit.
Parker rated it 95 points, and I have to agree that it's up there in the stratosphere of great wines I've tasted. Definitely a classic, but low production, and probably quite hard to find most places. Tasted December, 2009.
