O’Shaughnessy is a top-tier producer on Howell Mountain that crafts very complex and unique Cabernet Sauvignon.

Their Howell Mountain and Mount Veeder estate vineyards are greatly moderated from heat spikes found at lower elevations. Seasonally, cooler spring temperatures cause a later bud break, with warm summer nights filling in to produce fruit with an excellent balance of ripeness and acidity. Well-drained soils produce grapes with great concentration and tannin, allowing for decades of aging.

This is a radiant Cabernet. With each release, this wine marries fruit from the winery’s estate properties. It is a classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, capturing the essence of the vintage with its lively bouquet of violets, sandalwood, wild plum, and kirsch. The palate is dense and focused with integrated tannins and layers of boysenberry, crème de cassis, bittersweet chocolate, and tobacco. This is a wine that immediately impresses and will have a long life in the cellar. Pair with a succulent reverse-seared prime rib with red wine jus.

“The base 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is terrific, and while I don’t know the price, I suspect it’s a great value. Deep purple-hued, with terrific mulled currant and blackberry fruits, it has lots of ripe herbal, chocolaty spice notes, full-bodied richness, sweet tannins, and a great finish. This is pure Napa Valley goodness to drink over the coming 10-15 years.”
94 points, Jeb Dunnuck, May 2022