Cabernet Sauvignon 'The Ranch' Snowden Vineyards 2021

Perched high above the Napa Valley since 1955, Snowden Vineyards is a family-run estate where four distinct vineyard sites overlook the sweeping views of St. Helena, Rutherford, and the San Francisco Bay. Under the careful guidance of winemaker Diana Snowden Seysses, also of Domaine Dujac in Burgundy, the estate creates elegant, terroir-driven wines that express the nuance and complexity of their mountain soils.

The 2021 vintage of The Ranch is a perfect reflection of the Snowden family’s high-elevation estate. Made entirely from estate-grown fruit, the blend is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot, sourced from two contrasting vineyard blocks: the Lost Orchard at the top of the property and the Pool Block at its lowest elevation. These rhyolitic (volcanic sand) soils lend structure and freshness, while the 18 months spent in French oak (half new, half neutral) adds polish and depth without overpowering the fruit.

In the glass, it is dense, energetic, and beautifully balanced. Aromas of crushed black cherries, brambles, and ripe plum lead into a palate of bright red fruit, subtle spice, and fine, chalky tannins. There’s a mountain freshness to its finish, crisp, lifted, and long.  Bottled unfined and unfiltered, this wine combines Napa Valley generosity with restraint and precision. It’s immediately appealing, yet will continue to evolve gracefully for the next decade.

Enjoy with: grilled steak, rosemary lamb, or roasted vegetables with wild herbs.