O’Shaughnessy Estate Winery sits at 1,800 feet on the heralded Howell Mountain appellation in Napa Valley. Founded in 1996, the estate encompasses one hundred and twenty acres. Winemaker Sean Capiaux has overseen the planting of the vineyard and selected numerous clones of Cabernet Sauvignon and all seven of the historic Bordeaux varietals for this unique property.
O’Shaughnessy Estate Winery uses modern equipment to produce non-interventionist wines that are naturally fermented and bottled unfined and unfiltered. These techniques allow the varietal character and terroir of O’Shaughnessy Estate vineyards to be the stars of the show.
The Oakville vineyard spans 32 acres that surround their home. Planted at various times, they grow Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon there. The Chardonnay plantings of Old Wente Clones, as well as 809 and 548, provide the backbone of their complex, dramatic blend which debuted with the 2009 vintage.
This estate turned out a terrific 2018 Chardonnay Napa Valley that has a ripe, honeyed, tropical style as well as good freshness and purity on the palate. Medium-bodied, with lively acidity.