2009 Snowden Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa

(94+ points) 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.

Snowden Vineyards lies in one of the more remote corners of Napa Valley, next to Sloan and Hall on one of its borders. Unpaved roads accessible only by 4x4 lead to the hillside vineyards. Over the last few years, the Snowden family has made significant investments with the goal of improving viticulture. As for the wines, they are terrific and getting better under the leadership of Diana Snowden Seysses, who also makes wine in Burgundy with her husband, Jeremy Seysses of Domaine Dujac. Talk about a power couple! The 2010s, which I tasted in separate components, are highly promising. Wine Advocate #198 Dec 2011