Aileron Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2017

Our introduction to this joyful new brand came when our friend, Tim Martin (the man behind TUSK), contacted us wondering if ACME had any interest in learning about a special project that was soon to be unveiled. We instantly accepted the opportunity to host Tim and his mystery guest who turned out to be none other than Shannon O’Shaughnessy of the O’Shaughnessy Estate on Howell Mountain! Shannon has lived an exciting life, both on land and in the air. Her passion for flying and the freedom it has offered her has inspired her in various ways. It was therefore apropos that she would adopt an aeronautical term for her brand: Aileron, which means “little wing” or “fin” which references the rudder on an airplane’s wing that controls the direction of flight. The word has profound meaning for Shannon and is symbolic not only of her love for flying but also for the impact that learning to fly had on the ultimate direction of her life. For Shannon, the confidence that she gained while learning to pilot gave her the courage to commit to the wine industry by both assisting in establishing her family winery as a major player in Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon and launching Aileron.

Wanting, or perhaps needing, even more autonomy, Shannon went on to purchase a Cabernet vineyard on Atlas Peak which is home to her not-yet-released single vineyard Cabernet “Altimeter”, which will be offered to those who come along with ACME for an allocation down the road. This monumental step encouraged her to dream big and ask for the help she would need to manage something so grand. She would need both a vineyard and winemaking crew, and thus hired the ever so competent Atelier Melka team to become a part of her future beginning with the 2017 vintage. Inky deep and dark, the 2017 Aileron befits its Howell Mountain appellation. For the second vintage of Shannon’s Cabernet, the fruit was once again sourced from one of the most iconic Howell Mountain estates owned by her mother, Bette O’Shaughnessy. Her winemaking team changed after her first vintage and now Philippe Melka and Maayan Koschitzky, who make top Napa wines such as Nine Suns, Brand, Adamvs, TUSK, Corliss, and more, are behind the winemaking wheel! Her vineyard manager, John Derr, takes his level of precision with nature to the highest levels, including other vineyard clients: Kapcsandy, Blankiet, and Gamble Family Vineyards. Successful in captivating the refined palates of Cabernet lovers, this estate vineyard wine is balanced, smooth and silky from the start. Comingling beautiful notes of boysenberry, pomegranate, cedarwood and white pepper and earthy scents of forest and mushroom. This is THE perfect winter mountain-top, red wine!