Mt Veeder
2008 O’Shaughnessy Estate Winery, Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon – A Special Wine
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Irish eyes are smiling brightly when you taste this aged to perfection Cabernet Sauvignon from Mount Veeder AVA by O’Shaughnessy Winery.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This wine came up in “my to drink list” for 2025. After tasting it last evening this could easily go another five years. Parker also mentioned it will age 25+ years! Rated 98 points by Robert Parker and has been aging in the cellar for 14 years! Searching on the internet average price today appears to be $149/bottle. Today’s current vintage at the winery is their 2021 and is allocated at $160/bottle.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
First on the eyes striking combination of inky purple and dark crimson coloring. Viscosity was medium-heavy. Once the cork was popped it took a while for the flavors to “open up” and express their pedigree after so many years of hibernation. Once opened, fresh blackberries and smooth blueberries filled the olfactory senses. On the palate, the dark fruits combined to make a robust compote of pure fruit. Full bodied possessing strong enjoyable tannins without any pointiness. The finish concluded being opulent and richly rewarding.
This wine will make my annual Best Wines Tasted Listing for 2025 (list comes out December for each year).
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
With a break in the weather, the BBQ was fired up for filet mignon steaks this evening. Seasoned with applewood smoke salt and Flatiron BBQ Rub was pounded in the steak on both sides. This rub contains chipotle, ancho, habanero, thyme, toasted onion, smoke ghost peppers, roasted garlic and paprika!
Seared at 1500 degrees and served medium rare. Accompanied by a Russett potato and my favorite salad of iceberg lettuce, fresh bacon pieces, halved cherry tomatoes, green onions and crumbled Point Reyes Blue cheese.
Absolutely a delicious and memorable food and wine pairing this evening!
The Winery
Photo from O’Shaughnessy website
Located on Howell Mountain with acres of vineyards planted on the hillsides. The wine cave is perhaps one of the best in Napa with their infinity loop design. They also have acreage on Mount Veeder and have produced exceptional wines for decades. Currently producing Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and the Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon.
Photo from O’Shaughnessy website
The owners Betty O’Shaughnessy and Paul Woolls have held the highest standard of quality and customer service for years. This was set as the standard hallmark of their entire staff, including Sean Capiaux the winemaker and Alan Pierson, vineyard manager. Initially we all met while being a wine club member for many years.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
https://californiawinesandwineries.com