2017 O'Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 750 ml

The 2017 O’Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon boasts some of the most pristine vineyard pedigree we can imagine in a bottle bearing the Napa Valley label. Sourced from O’Shaughnessy’s sites in Oakville and on Howell Mountain and Mount Veeder, it’s a blockbuster Napa Valley Cab that bears the winery’s high-altitude signature—the same you’d expect from their $105+ mountain Cabernets (not to mention those of their mountain mates Dunn and La Jota)—at a rare two-digit price. 

We’re absolutely in love with this Cabernet, which is the kind that made Antonio Galloni gush: “Betty O’Shaughnessy and her winemaker Sean Capiaux make some of the most compelling Cabernets in California. These are among my favorite wines to drink at home. Best of all they remain exceptionally well-priced considering the quality of what is in the glass.” Dark-fruited, layered with sweet wood notes and faint tobacco, showing complex structure dressed up with elegance and finesse, this is, in Galloni’s words, “a terrific choice for drinking now and over the next few years.” 

We had to do a double-take when Eduardo showed up at our judging panel with a bottle bearing the O’Shaughnessy label. That’s because, despite a lucky strike on a few magnums nearly a decade ago, the renowned Howell Mountain winery has been one of the Wine Access white whales: elusive and always on our mind. It’s also been on the minds of our members, who we’ve long known were on the lookout for another shot at these bottles, which stand with the greatest of Napa Valley’s high-altitude wineries.

This bottle is the product of patience: First arriving from the Midwest in 1990, Betty O’Shaughnessy began meticulously acquiring vineyards in some of the most prime spots in Napa Valley. First, a 32-acre plot in the heart of Oakville, which sits near Oakville Crossroad smack-dab between PlumpJack and Groth, and not far from BOND’s St. Eden Vineyard. Next, she claimed a spot on wild Howell Mountain, which at the time was a largely uncharted area studded with pioneers like Dunn and La Jota. The last pieces fell into place from high on Mount Veeder: the 17 steep, terraced acres of Betty’s Vineyard, and later 32 acres on Wools Ranch.

The three incredible sites are not the only key to O’Shaughnessy’s success. Their winemaker (and also President) Sean Capiaux has been at the helm for the winery’s entire existence. We love tasting with Sean because brings a level of excitement and passion he brings—he lights up when talking about fruit sources and the challenges of each vintage. 

We can’t help but light up when talking about Sean’s stellar background: He started his career at Jordan, before becoming assistant winemaker at iconic Cabernet producer Pine Ridge in the Stags Leap District. Finally, he worked at Peter Michael, where he absorbed lessons from the famed Mark Aubert. Now, the signature of Sean Capiaux is Cabernet whose varietal character and precious terroir shine through in every sip. 

We’ve been waiting for years for this one, and are thrilled to share it with you. Don’t miss this shot at O’Shaughnessy, because we don’t know when the next one might come again.