O'Shaughnessy Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
(Napa Valley, California) - [JS 93] [VM 91]

About the Winery:
O’Shaughnessy Estate Winery was founded by Betty O’Shaughnessy and her husband Paul Woolls. Betty first came to Napa Valley in 1990, acquiring land in Oakville, and began planting vineyards on Howell Mountain in 1997, including 29 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon and 6 acres of Bordeaux varieties (Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Malbec, Carménère, St. Macaire, and Gros Verdot) on a 120-acre property. In 2000, the winery expanded to Mount Veeder with a 55-acre property—17 acres planted—and later added the 265-acre Woolls Ranch in 2006, with 32 planted acres.

Their winemaking philosophy emphasizes terroir and minimal intervention, guided by founding winemaker Sean Capiaux. Capiaux, who earned a B.S. in Enology with a minor in Chemistry at California State University, Fresno, brings experience from Jordan, Houghton (Australia), Pine Ridge, and Peter Michael wineries before launching Capiaux Cellars in 1994. He joined O’Shaughnessy as president and winemaker in 2001 and is known for producing naturally fermented, unfined, and unfiltered mountain Cabs that let the vineyard character shine.

The winery remains passionate about expressing its mountain‑grown Cabernet Sauvignon. Their holdings across Howell Mountain, Mount Veeder, and Oakville—including Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc from Oakville—are celebrated for their power, elegance, and terroir-driven expression. Winemaking techniques are modern yet restrained, with thermal‑controlled fermentations and frequent use of indigenous yeasts and strong varietal integrity.

About the Wine:
Blended from our three Estate vineyards in arguably the three best appellations within the Napa Valley: Howell Mountain, Mt. Veeder and Oakville. Howell Mountain gives us structure and ripe red fruit, while Mt. Veeder adds an extra punch of tannins along with savory mineral driven qualities, Oakville balances out the mountains with its silky texture and pure fruit. This Cabernet is deep ruby red with an opaque center. Bold aromas of aged leather, black currant, and rum raisin, creating a layered and complex bouquet. A luxuriously sweet and rich entry, unfolding with ripe blackberry and velvety cocoa powder. The texture is smooth yet structured, balanced by moderate tannins and a medium level of acidity, leading to a long, elegant finish.

93 Points - James Suckling:
"Deeply brooding aromas of blackberries, cassis, plums, cedar and tobacco. The palate is full-bodied with firm tannins and balanced acidity, showing dark cherries, blackcurrants and spices. Concentrated, savory and fresh. Drink or hold."  (Sep 2025)

92 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (2021 Vintage):
"O'Shaughnessy's 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon—the regular Napa Valley bottling, blended from vineyards in Oakville and on Howell Mountain and Mount Veeder—nails the varietal-regional character, easily combining ripe black cherries and cassis with streaks of vanilla. It's medium to full-bodied, with a long, mouthwatering finish and softly dusty tannins. Easy to enjoy now and over the next decade, it's the sort of reasonably priced, high-quality effort true wine lovers should be rushing out to find." -JC (2/27/25)

91 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is packed with succulent dark cherry/plum fruit, spice, new leather and chocolate. This juicy Cabernet Sauvignon will drink well pretty much right out of the gate. There is a bit of firmness in the tannin, but that's a small quibble for a wine that offers so much enjoyment. (Drink between 2025-2034)." - Antonio Galloni (Dec 2024)