Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon Appellation: Napa Valley Region: California Country: United States

ABOUT SHAFER VINEYARDS:

Shafer’s Hillside Estate Vineyard consists of 54 acres all on steep, amphitheater-like, rocky outcroppings and knolls. It receives the full benefit of southeasterly sunlight, and enjoys the afternoon breezes that blow up from the San Francisco Bay channel. The business started in 1972 when John Shafer left a 23-year career in publishing and moved his family to the Napa Valley to pursue a second career in wine. He purchased a 210-acre estate in Napa Valley's Stags Leap District, and replanted the existing vineyards which dated back to the 1920's. Today, there are 54 acres planted. The family grew grapes at first and in 1978 crushed its first vintage and began construction on their winery in 1979.

RATINGS/REVIEWS:

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - 100 points

"A remarkable wine, the 2010 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select has gone from strength to strength since it was in cask. It is stunningly rich, with classic, fragrant notes of blackcurrants, blackberries, vanilla, graphite and spring flowers. It exhibits an opaque purple color, with a full-bodied, massive mouthfeel, but no heaviness, and again, a flawless integration of acidity, tannin, alcohol and wood. It’s classic California Cabernet, but beautifully put together, showing impeccable craftsmanship and fabulous potential. This is obviously a very young, infantile style of Cabernet that won’t hit its prime for at least another decade and last close to half a century, based on how older vintages that were less well-endowed have matured from Shafer." (December 2014)

Antonio Gallon's Vinous - 99 points

"One of the most impressive wines of the night, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is fabulous. Racy, exotic and flashy to the core, the 2010 delivers a classic, full-on Napa Valley experience. If I had to pick one Napa Valley wine that exemplifies modern viticulture and winemaking at its very best, but that remains relatively affordable (by Napa Valley standards), the 2010 Hillside Select would be it. Hard-core classicists might be troubled by the wine's sweetness, but in my view, this is as good as it gets within the genre of voluptuous, opulent Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. I have now served the 2010 at several events and it has never been anything less than magnificent." (July 2015) 

Wine Spectator - 95 points

"Pure, rich and intense, massive and well-built, with wall-to-wall ripe berry, currant, cedar and spice notes, framed by gutsy, chewy tannins and aided by the long, intense, layered finish. Drink now through 2027. 2,400 cases made." (October 2014)