O'Shaughnessy Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

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.

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.

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.