2018 O’SHAUGHNESSY HOWELL MOUNTAIN CABERNET SAUVIGNON "A unique blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 5% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot, and 2% each of Saint Macaire, Carmenere, and Cabernet Franc. Charred wood, pipe tobacco and black cherries on the nose. Texturally, the most focused and persistent of the O’Shaughnessy Cabernets. The palate is both generous and nimble, showing substantially chewy, textbook Howell Mountain tannins. A rustic Cabernet housed in a contemporary core." 94 Points "Blue flowers and fruit on the nose, as well as licorice, tea leaf and dark chocolate. It’s medium-bodied with firm, tight tannins and fresh acidity. A distinct, saline streak cuts through the dark fruit. Try from 2023.” 93 Points "The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is dark, powerful and brooding, with huge, coarse tannins that are a signature of low-grade taint that was such a challenge on Howell Mountain in 2018. Time in the glass brings out copious dark fruit, chocolate, dried herbs and game. Today, smoke taint is manifested more in texture than in the aromas and flavors, which are clean. This is certainly a better showing than a year ago, but the 2018 is still tainted, in my view. I offer my carefully considered views not so much as a critique but rather as a data point in time for this wine.“ 79 Points