Darker currants, scorched earth, iron, violets, dark chocolate, and smoked tobacco all emerge from the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain. Based on 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, along with small amounts of Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Carmenere, and St. Macaire, it's full-bodied and rich, with an iron-laced, meaty character and powerful structure. Aged two years in French oak followed by a year in bottle, this killer effort will need 4-5 years of patience and keep for two decades.

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is composed of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 4% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot, 2% Carmenere, and 2% St. Macaire. Deep garnet-purple colored, it comes tearing out with powerful notes of boysenberries, black currant preserves, and Morello cherries, followed by nuances of garrigue, crushed rocks, iron ore, and anise. The full-bodied palate is plush and seductive, delivering evocative black fruit layers and seamless freshness, finishing long with compelling opulence. Beautiful.

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is another impressive wine from O'Shaughnessy Estate Winery. Bright acids and beams of tannin run through a core of dark red/purplish Howell Mountain fruit. Potent yet refined, the 2021 is a fine effort. Blueberry jam, plum, lavender, chocolate and graphite all build into the huge, vibrant finish. - By Antonio Galloni on December 2023

Such an artfully crafted wine that is expressive of its Napa Valley character in its ripe and succulent red, black, and blue-toned youthful fruits and brawny power, backed by a kind of dizzying freshness brought on by a spine of racy, tangy, blood orange acidity and lifted violet notes. Iron, volcanic minerals, tilled earth, and fragrant herbs further accentuate Howell Mountain muscle. Soaring robust tannins are compact and superfine. Blackberry fruit, crème de cassis, and black currants all make appearances nuanced by conifer, tobacco leaf, and dark cacao. A blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 4% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot, 2% Carmenere, and 2% St. Macaire is harvested from O'Shaughnessy's 48.5ha hillside estate on Howell Mountain. The winemaker is Sean Capiaux. The wine was aged 24 months in French oak and another year in bottle prior to release.

So rich, broad and concentrated, with a very firm texture from the stalwart tannins of Howell Mountain's terroir. Deep in black cherries, dried blueberries and dark chocolate, emphasizing the powerful fruitiness but spicing it with peppery, toasty oak accents. It's a full-bodied, age-worthy wine. Best from 2029.

Sourced from the estate property, O'Shaughnessy's 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is a bit earthy, with mocha-tinged black cherries on the nose. It's medium to full-bodied, ripe and velvety yet firm, dusty yet mouthwatering on the finish. Overall, it's nicely balanced, with the potential to age up to two decades.- JC