2014 O'Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain
Community Tasting Note
Geaux Tigers wrote:
95 Points
Thursday, August 18, 2022 - Last minute pull and PnP—wow, not often mountain grapes show like this on PnP! especially at 8 yrs! If you’ve had Howell Mtn you’ve had this beauty! Not exactly helpful, but if you’ve had Howell Mtn you know! Elicited a WTF! from fellow drinker—added a point due to that—warranted 2 pts but I’m a tough scorer! Excited I have more!
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Comment posted by Mark1npt:
8/19/2022 6:08:00 AM - Nice! Two bottles left here......may have to pull one soon. In my experience, the last 18 months have been the sweet spot for the Napa '14s! Drinking so well now!
Comment posted by Franken Berry:
8/20/2022 5:15:00 AM - I have two left as well, and I agree the 2014s continue to drink well, and remain smooth and ripe. Plenty of energy and focus. Howell mountain wines in particular have shown well in this year. Overall, I would put 2014 ahead of 2012. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy a 2014 red at a restaurant if I saw one
Comment posted by Mark1npt:
8/20/2022 5:27:00 AM - FB, at the stage that each vintage is in right now, I too, would take the '14s. I had this talk with Agelvis out in TX last week and he says he hasn't had many good '14s though. What I can tell you after having a few more '12s recently, is that they continue to be dominated by stewed plums on the palate, no matter who the maker is in both Sonoma and Napa counties. I don't mind stewed plums too much but it's not my overall fav. Unfortunately, it turns to prunes and raisins, next. I think I just about have all my Cali '12s gone now.
Comment posted by Franken Berry:
8/20/2022 9:14:00 AM - very well said an an astute observation regarding the 2012s. from what I have red, the development of "stewed fruit" is a sign of oxidative destruction, and commonly occurs in years with heat spikes. Galloni noted early on that Napa 2012 seem to evolve at a faster pace, and showed signs of oxidation, with extended air, at a young age. What I find fascinating about 2012, is that it was a huge crop, and given the mild september conditions, a lot of fruit was left to hang until tank space could be freed up. Again, Galloni anticipated that they would mature quickly. So, once again Mark, you are spot on! I would agree that we should all drink up our remaining 2012s
Comment posted by Mark1npt:
8/20/2022 9:39:00 AM - Thanks for the kind words, FB......I was not aware of Galloni's assessment of the vintage, just going off of what I've personally experienced with the vintage. It all makes perfect sense, now! Thanks for the insight on the reason for the fruit showing what it shows. In fact, Decanting Queen and I have shared many a bottle at her place in ATL and ours here in Naples and always have remarked about the stewed plums of the '12s......it was the first draught vintage in that 5 year run in Napa, too and maybe the wineries got a better handle on irrigating and canopy mgmt in the latter 4 draught vintages because I get zero stewed fruits on the '13 thru '16s even though there were a few hot summers mixed in there, too. The '12 is the only vintage that is earmarked by that fruit profile.
Comment posted by Mark1npt:
8/20/2022 9:42:00 AM - Lol.....I just looked and I (still!) have 11 bottles of the Napa '12s left in my cellar including one of these O'Shaughnessy.....guess I'd better get drinking!