O'Shaughnessy Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot, 3% St. Macaire, 1% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Carmenère.
Blended from our three Estate vineyards in arguably the three best appellations within the Napa Valley: Howell Mountain, Mt. Veeder and Oakville. Howell Mountain gives us structure and ripe red fruit, while Mt. Veeder adds an extra punch of tannins along with savory mineral driven qualities, Oakville balances out the mountains with its silky texture and pure fruit. This Cabernet is deep ruby red with an opaque center. Bold aromas of aged leather, black currant, and rum raisin, creating a layered and complex bouquet. A luxuriously sweet and rich entry, unfolding with ripe blackberry and velvety cocoa powder. The texture is smooth yet structured, balanced by moderate tannins and a medium level of acidity, leading to a long, elegant finish.
Review:
Based on 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot, 3% St. Macaire, 1% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Carmenère and aged two years in French oak (60% new, 40% second year), the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon offers blackcurrants, scorched earth, iron, sappy herbs, and tobacco. It's rich and medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated, and has a layered, textured mouthfeel, ripe underlying tannins, and outstanding length. I slightly prefer the overall structure and balance here to the Mt. Veeder bottling, but both are successful 2022s with 10-12 years of longevity.
-Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points
Henriot Brut Souverain is made from 50% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Meunier.
The Brut Souverain is the most historical cuvée in the region, as it was the first cuvée Apolline Henriot produced in 1808. Apolline aspired to put the light on her vineyards through the expression of a champagne. According to her, one year was not enough to tell the story of the terroirs, so she decided to put wines in reserve each year to incorporate them into a future blend. Therefore, she founded the House by creating a Champagne that would have blending as its fundamental principle. The House respects this philosophy today and uses every terroir in this multi-cru, multi-vintage cuvée. It was named Brut Souverain by Ernest Henriot, Apolline's grandson, when the House was appointed the official champagne supplier to the Courts of the King of Holland and of the Emperor of Austria-Hungary.
Review:
A superprecise, reductive style due to bright lime-peel aromas enhanced by chalky minerality with linden tree and yellow plums. Light-bodied, it has zesty acidity with pinprick bubbles, a tight-knit structure and a chewy yet very polished finish.
-James Suckling 95 Points