2007 O'Shaughnessy Merlot Howell Mountain
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Tasting notes
Good deep ruby-red. Crushed blackcurrant, licorice and mint on the nose, plus a whiff of creosote. Densely packed, sweet and serious, with excellent structural support to its medicinal black fruit and menthol flavors. Finishes with dusty tannins and very good energy. According to winemaker Sean Capiaux, there will be no 2008 Howell Mountain merlot due to the terrible frost. This estate's production on Howell Mountain was cut by 45%, he said.
Critic scores
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Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
It is difficult to find top quality Merlot in California, but O’Shaughnessy’s 2007 Merlot is a real winner. Abundant chocolate fudge, coffee, dark berry, underbrush, earth, and new oak characteristics result in a big, dense, full-bodied mouthfeel. This up-front, delicious Merlot possesses a plush texture as well as a heady finish. It should drink well for 10-12 years. One of the superstar estates on Howell Mountain, winemaker Sean Capiaux is the force behind these impressive reds. Capiaux also makes his own wines (almost all Pinot Noirs) under the Capiaux Cellars label. Those cuvees will be reviewed in the February, 2010 issue in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Mendocino, and Sonoma report. Tel. (707) 965-2898; Fax (707) 965-3010
Good bright red-ruby. Cool aromas of dark raspberry, coffee and minerals; smells juicy! Then sweet, dense and supple, with a creamy center and still a touch of leesy reduction. Large-scaled for Howell Mountain merlot. This had not been racked since just after the malolactic fermentation. Capiaux told me that 2006 was "riper up here" (on Howell Mountain) due to low yields, but I like the balance here.