O'Shaughnessy

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

9.3679 ratings
9.385 pro ratings
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California, USA
Cabernet Sauvignon
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy
Top Notes For
David L

11’ O’Shaughnessy Cabernet.
Ruby red in color. Palate- Dark raspberry, plum, chocolate mint, tobacco, cocoa powder.
Lush & concentrated, typical big mid-palates ... from Howell MT, even on a more challenging vintage such as this.

On a side-note - What’s been said about 2011‘s, disagree with when they have come from this AVA.

Generally so appealing to the crowds, carries nice weight for a 11. Quite delicious . Pull the cork & enjoy shortly afterwards.

11’ O’Shaughnessy Cabernet.
Ruby red in color. Palate- Dark raspberry, plum, chocolate mint, tobacco, cocoa powder.
Lush & concentrated, typical big mid-palates ... from Howell MT, even on a more challenging vintage such as this.

On a side-note - What’s been said about 2011‘s, disagree with when they have come from this AVA.

Generally so appealing to the crowds, carries nice weight for a 11. Quite delicious . Pull the cork & enjoy shortly afterwards.

Feb 1st, 2021
Shay A
9.4

Fun Friday evening with great wines.

Checks all my boxes. I love Howell Mtn fruit. Everything about it is dark and ripe, yet powerful and smooth. Iron fist in a velvet glove. Sweet baking spices accompanied by blue fruit, blackberries, dark cocoa and nutmeg on the nose. Soft with a powerful core of dark fruit. Rich, but not boozy or flabby. Drinking fantastic right now with an hour decant.

Fun Friday evening with great wines.

Checks all my boxes. I love Howell Mtn fruit. Everything about it is dark and ripe, yet powerful and smooth. Iron fist in a velvet glove. Sweet baking spices accompanied by blue fruit, blackberries, dark cocoa and nutmeg on the nose. Soft with a powerful core of dark fruit. Rich, but not boozy or flabby. Drinking fantastic right now with an hour decant.

Aug 10th, 2019
Ari Erle

Amazing to drink this wine 12 years after helping the master Sean Capiaux make it! Still young and intense, great concentration, long finish. Inky soy sauce and still full of raspberry and blueberry fruit...

Amazing to drink this wine 12 years after helping the master Sean Capiaux make it! Still young and intense, great concentration, long finish. Inky soy sauce and still full of raspberry and blueberry fruit...

Jul 2nd, 2019
Shay A
9.4

Heck of a 3rd Friday to kick off the holidays!

Dense! Inky. Hoisin sauce, blackberry preserve, peppercorn on the nose. Turned dark and savory, with licorice and baked berry pie. Young in every aspect but also upside in every aspect.

Heck of a 3rd Friday to kick off the holidays!

Dense! Inky. Hoisin sauce, blackberry preserve, peppercorn on the nose. Turned dark and savory, with licorice and baked berry pie. Young in every aspect but also upside in every aspect.

Dec 22nd, 2018
LM Segal

Intense and focussed with a smoky and slightly peaty nose. Dark cherry and earthy blueberry. Sweet tobacco. Seek this out. Outstanding, with 10-15 years ahead at least.

Intense and focussed with a smoky and slightly peaty nose. Dark cherry and earthy blueberry. Sweet tobacco. Seek this out. Outstanding, with 10-15 years ahead at least.

Dec 22nd, 2018
David L

Can’t miss Howell MT. Nose is to die for. Fruit forward & a crowd pleaser!

Can’t miss Howell MT. Nose is to die for. Fruit forward & a crowd pleaser!

Dec 16th, 2018
Isaac Pirolo

When the boss hands you a bottle of one of your favorite wines just because it’s Friday afternoon... you try to rib him, but in the end it’s just... 🙏👏👊💯🍷

The 2012 O’Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is 79% of the named varietal with a mix of 6% Malbec, 4% Merlot, 4% St Macaire, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cab Franc, and 2% Carmenere.

Impressively virile aromatics of blackberry, cassis, 72% cacao, dark roast coffee, and a blend of masculine spice, including clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The palate features notable concentration set against a soft cushion of savory herbs and minerality that helps frame the decadent fruit through its lengthy finish. Excellent mountain fruit that’s still an extraordinary value in terms of Napa pricing. 95+

When the boss hands you a bottle of one of your favorite wines just because it’s Friday afternoon... you try to rib him, but in the end it’s just... 🙏👏👊💯🍷

The 2012 O’Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is 79% of the named varietal with a mix of 6% Malbec, 4% Merlot, 4% St Macaire, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cab Franc, and 2% Carmenere.

Impressively virile aromatics of blackberry, cassis, 72% cacao, dark roast coffee, and a blend of masculine spice, including clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The palate features notable concentration set against a soft cushion of savory herbs and minerality that helps frame the decadent fruit through its lengthy finish. Excellent mountain fruit that’s still an extraordinary value in terms of Napa pricing. 95+

Jul 7th, 2018
Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.4

First wine for Chops Grille House. Decanted for five hours and definitely helped with the heat. Deep and dark ruby red with a touch of garnet. Layered nose with volcanic ash, dark raspberries, oak, dark cocoa and dark spices. Medium plus tannins (7/10) and full bodied. Lush and rich palate with red mountain berries, dark sweet spices, a bit dusty and a little anise. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2027.

First wine for Chops Grille House. Decanted for five hours and definitely helped with the heat. Deep and dark ruby red with a touch of garnet. Layered nose with volcanic ash, dark raspberries, oak, dark cocoa and dark spices. Medium plus tannins (7/10) and full bodied. Lush and rich palate with red mountain berries, dark sweet spices, a bit dusty and a little anise. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2027.

Apr 29th, 2018
Riccardo L.

Fantastic depth. Full of barrel and ripe fruit. EXACTLY what is want out of a wine of this caliber. Superb.

Fantastic depth. Full of barrel and ripe fruit. EXACTLY what is want out of a wine of this caliber. Superb.

3 people found it helpfulOct 19th, 2015
Jordan Gianelli

I'd buy a case if I had room in the cellar. STUNNING, show stopping and for the price, probably the most dominant $100 out of Napa. Keep up the good work. Minerals crushed rocks, fresh fresh black fruit that was exposed to some tricky oak. I'll definitely revisit.

I'd buy a case if I had room in the cellar. STUNNING, show stopping and for the price, probably the most dominant $100 out of Napa. Keep up the good work. Minerals crushed rocks, fresh fresh black fruit that was exposed to some tricky oak. I'll definitely revisit.

3 people found it helpfulDec 3rd, 2013