O'Shaughnessy 2023 Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

6 points - limited                         
A blockbuster small-production, top scoring  Napa Cabernet from Mt. Veeder - very limited.

“The O’Shaughnessy 2023s are gorgeous. The Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend from the Howell Mountain, Mt. Veeder and Oakville properties. As always, the Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon includes some blenders, while the Mt. Veeder bottling is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines are a bit less opulent than they have been in the past, but there is still plenty of power and intensity. These days, fruit is picked a bit earlier than in the past. Wines are fermented at a lower temperature and spend more time on the skins, while new oak is down to about 60%. The 2023s are beautifully layered and vibrant. Lastly, it’s great to see the Merlot back in the range. It’s one of the most distinctive Merlots in Napa Valley.” Antonio Galloni, Vinous

 99 pts Decanter: “This is a spectacular wine in 2023, showcasing the remarkable freshness of Mount Veeder terroir through heady nuances of sagebrush, live oak, bay laurel and white pepper. The spice notes are clean, pure and beautifully delineated, providing a fine dusting over ripe blackberry and black cherry fruit. The palate is tender and fleshy, its richness finely balanced by mountain-born tannins that are firm yet seamlessly interconnected. The finish carries tremendous length and profound ironstone minerality, layering in a distinct and palpable mineral tension that tightens and focuses the wine as it lingers. A masterfully crafted Cabernet Sauvignon and a true benchmark for Mount Veeder in 2023.”  Jonathan Cristaldi

 97 pts Vinous: “The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder is gorgeous young wine from O'Shaughnessy. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2023 is a baby today. White pepper, chalk, mint, slate and orange peel drive through a core of red-toned Veeder fruit, conferring energy, tension and savory intensity. I expect it will drink beautifully with a few years in bottle. This is such a classy Cabernet Sauvignon.” Antonio Galloni

 Nestled on a 120-acre hillside, the O'Shaughnessy estate vineyard has matured over 20 years. With 29 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon and 6 acres of historic blending varietals, the vines thrive in three distinct vineyards: the Amphitheater, Rancho Del Oso, and Osprey's Nest. The 2019 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is a stunning example, boasting flawless balance, elegance, and textbook Howell Mountain characteristics of blue fruit, cassis, violets, and graphite, with a remarkable purity of fruit and a great finish.