Review: 2021 Priest Ranch Snake Oil

Snake Oil is one of Priest Ranch‘s more upscale wines, made with fruit from the Somerston Estate, which the winery describes as particularly rugged. This 100% cabernet release hails from the 2021 vintage.

Thoughts follow.

An intense 15.6% abv experience, this wine showcases a greatest hits of the Napa cab world, kicking off with notes of dark chocolate, anise, and toasty oak. The rumblings of currants and plums aren’t far behind, the latter quite dried and extracted, showcasing dark, chocolate-laden notes that are infused with vanilla and later ample tannins. Cab fans will relish the intense and unctuous body on this wine, spiced perfectly to balance out the otherwise dominant notes of brown sugar and, eventually, molasses. A hint of mocha imbues the finish.

Big-ass California cab: Here it is.

A- / $110 / priestranchwines.com

The post Review: 2021 Priest Ranch Snake Oil appeared first on Drinkhacker: The Insider’s Guide to Good Drinking.