O Shaughnessy Napa Valley California Cabernet Sauvignon Chardonnay

O’Shaugnessy Estate Napa Valley California Cabernet Sauvignon wine producer profile, wine tasting notes, wine and food pairing tips, best vintages, history of the property, information on their wine making techniques, terroir and soil. You can also read about the Grapes used for California wine and learn about the extensive History of Napa Valley, California Wines

O’Shaugnessy History, Overview

O’Shaugnessy Estate is a fairly young property in Napa Valley which got its start when its namesake, Betty O’Shaugnessy landed in Oakville and purchased a home that included a 27 acre parcel of vines in 1990. At first, those grapes were sold to other vintners. Betty O’Shaugnessy made her subsequent vineyard purchase on Howell Mountain in 1996, following that up with additional purchases on Mount Veeder. Betty O’Shaugnessy later met and married Paul Woolls, who is also active in managing O’Shaugnessy Estate. O’Shaugnessy Estate released their debut wine with the 2000 vintage.

O’Shaugnessy Estate Vineyards, Wines, Winemaking

O’Shaugnessy Estate produces wine from mostly Bordeaux grape varieties in vineyards, well placed on mountain sites in the Napa Valley. On Howell Mountain, much of their site was planted over a 5 year period between 1997 and 2002 where they now have 120 acres of land, of which 35 acres are planted to vines. That includes 12 acres of vines they were able to purchase in 2012. 29 acres are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, and the remaining 6 acres of their Howell Mountain vineyard is planted to Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Malbec, Carmenere, St. Macaire and Gros Verdot. The vines on Howell Mountain at above the fog line at 1,800 feet. Here, you find terroir of rocks, stones, volcanic material and red clay.

On Mount Veeder they own 65 acres of land, with 17 acres planted to vines. This vineyard has been in use by O’Shaugnessy since 2002. The O’Shaugnessy Estate vineyard on Mount Veeder is planted to 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Their Woolls Ranch vineyard was purchased in 2006. While the vineyard is a massive 265 acre estate, only 32 acres are cultivated with vines, most of which is Cabernet Sauvignon. Woolls Ranch has been in production since 2012.

In addition, O’Shaugnessy Estate has 30 acres which are planted to white wine grape varieties, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc in Oakville.

O’Shaugnessy Estate produces Cabernet Sauvignon from Howell Mountain, Mount Veeder and Napa Valley. In addition, they make Chardonnay from Oakville and Merlot from Howell Mountain and Sauvignon Blanc from Oakville. O’Shaugnessy Estate released Syrah in 2 previous vintages, most recently in 2010. The Syrah has been discontinued.

The wines of O’Shaugnessy Estate are vinified in stainless steel vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in French oak barrels. The wines are then aged for an average of 18 months in 75% new, French oak barrels. There is also a small amount of wine, made from a special selection that is aged for 1 additional year in barrel, or even longer, depending on the vintage..

Serving and Decanting O’Shaugnessy Estate wines with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

O’Shaugnessy Estate wines are best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. Young vintages can be decanted for 1-2 hours, depending on the character of the vintage. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment. O’Shaugnessy wines are best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, ribs, hamburgers, barbecue, roasted, braised, grilled dishes and stews. O’Shaugnessy wines are is also good with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, salmon, mushrooms and pasta.

The white wine of O’Shaugnessy is best served with all types of seafood and shellfish, sushi, sashimi, chicken, veal, pork and cheese.

www.oshaughnessywinery.com