2022 Snowden "The Ranch" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot, sourced from vineyards at 600-800 feet in volcanic rhyolite soils and fermented with native yeast and aged just seven months in French oak before being bottled unfined. High-toned violets and sagebrush mingle with tobacco, while Bing cherry and plum fill the mid-palate with impressive density and weight. The Merlot adds fleshy, spiced plum fruit, complementing firm yet inviting tannins. The finish is long, marked by wet slate and mineral tension—a solid effort in a challenging vintage, offering good freshness and food-friendly balance.