2012 O’Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain- USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain (10/17/2016)
Decanted at restaurant. Big nose of black and red fruits, smoke, spice and cedar. Rich and layered with plenty of dark cherry, plum, leather, tobacco and mocha flavors. A seamless wine with a long finish. WOTY for me.
O’Shaughnessy is one of my favorite wineries and a relative deal for top quality Napa cabs. Their wines are powerful but also balanced and avoid going over the top.
I visited there most recently in June and the facility and overall experience is really first rate. I would highly recommend anyone visiting Napa plans a visit there. On my trip I ordered some of both the Howell Mountain and Mount Veeder cabs, as well as their Oakville chardonnay and they just arrived last week. I can’t wait to open one up.
Great note - love O’ Shaughnessy. As David mentioned, they’re probably one of the top values in Mountain cabs for the quality they offer year in and year out.
Can easily recall opening the '06 almost exactly 6 years ago, right after moving into our first home. It fit the occasion perfectly. Was more in to Napa Cab back then, but I can remember the wine. Ripe and complex, it had the flavor profile you mention though with more freshness than most wines in its class, and if any wine ever had forest floor, this one had it.