O'Shaughnessy Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
(Napa Valley, California) - [JS 95] [WA 94] [VM 93]

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.

Technical Details:
83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 4% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot, 2% Carmenere, 2% St. Macaire
Amphitheater, Rancho del Oso, and Osprey’s Nest Vineyards (Howell Mountain AVA)
Originally planted in 1997
Aged 21 months in French oak
14.8% abv

95 Points - James Suckling:
"Sitting on the edge of reduction with finely tuned, dark-fruit aromas of black olives, currants, graphite, cured meats, coffee beans and earth. The palate is full-bodied with a plush, refined mouthfeel and a long finish that remains fresh and balanced. A well-made Napa cabernet from a warm vintage. Drink or hold."  (Sep 2025)

94 Points - Wine Advocate:
"Sourced from the family's estate vineyard, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is a blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot, 3% Saint-Macaire, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Carmenère. Aged two years in 60% new French oak, it features hints of graham crackers on the nose, alongside gently pine needle-like herbal nuances and more straightforward notes of blueberries and plums. It's full-bodied—weighing in at 15.2% alcohol—and concentrated but also plush and softly tannic, with a long finish and no trace of heat." - Joe Czerwinski (Oct 2025)

93 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is a pretty ripe, flamboyant wine for O'Shaughnessy. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, licorice and lavender lend notable exuberance. Even with all of its obvious up-front richness, the 2022 is on the softer side structurally. (Drink between 2025-2036)." - Antonio Galloni (Dec 2024)