TN: 1997 Snowden Cabernet

This of the old label and old winemaker. Simply sat around the table yesterday afternoon before dinner with this bottle, and some new Italian cheeses I found. One, a sheep’s cheese from Piedmont was laced with black truffle and absolutely rocked.

The Snowden is purple black. It’s all class. Blackberry, mint, leather, dust and mineral pour from the glass. Flavors follow the nose with intensity and elegant balance. The acids and tannins in perfect harmony. Throwing a major sediment. Maybe the best Snowden I’ve ever tasted. 95 points. About $45 upon release

Nice note. These pop up on WineBid from time to time. Mag on there right now for $65. Seems like a good deal.

$65 for a mag. Is a deal. For a 15 y/o Cab? Assuming its been stored well.

Old school Napa Cab. The winemaker was John Gibson - cut his teeth with Warren Winiarski and had his hand in the great Cask 23s and SLVs of the mid 80s. Works on small projects these days and his own label - Salexis.

I will have to look up Salexis. Thanks for the info. I’ve loved Snowden since the very start. Hmm. Always seemed to blend terroir with ripeness very well. I still have 1 bottle of the 1993 lying in wait.

Always enjoyed the mid-90s cabs - glad to hear that they are still drinking…hmm, I think I may have one bottle of 1994 left somewhere and will have to give it a try soon.

This brings back memories of when I accepted the first delivery of Snowden transferring them from one trunk to another in the parking lot of Oakville Grocery. I don’t remember the exact year but it was one of the first vintages and my clients were pretty happy about it. I have not seen John Gibson in a decade.

1993 was the first vintage. I’ve been on their list since then.

Somewhat related,I am enjoying an 07 right now with steaks. Absolutely delicious.

Nice. The 2010 is great too. Have you had that? Are you trying the ranch or the reserve?

I almost popped a Reserve, but went with the Ranch. Outstanding!

Good call. I’d lay off the Reserves. The Ranch is available here for about $34. You can’t beat that for value in estate grown Napa Cab.

Saw your note on CT. How much of a decant do you think is best?

Randomly (unless Woot has bots scouring this forum), Salexis showed up on Wine.woot.com today.
Salexis Wines Napa Valley Merlot (3)
$50 for a 3 pack of the 2003 Merlot from Snowden Vineyards

Back in '97 Gibson was also making Frazier and Lupine Hill. Those were a steal back then.