Willie Carter

9.0

Deep dark plum in the glass. Basically impenetrable. A touch of bricking on the thin edges. On the nose, the fruit is barely clinging on but still present. Plums and blueberries are the dominant notes here. A heavy dose of toasted cedar and green bell peppers. There’s faint floral aromas of violets along with a shock of burnt tobacco.

This is about as Napa as Napa gets. I was quite worried about how this Cab would present but it’s still alive and kicking. The end may be nigh but not quite nigh enough. Pleasant acid and well integrated tannins. Big and rich as you would expect an Oakville Cab to be but still smooth after hours of decanting. Plenty of chocolate with a dash of vanilla. The fruit on the tongue is diminished and subtle but still showing pretty well. Cherry pie and blueberry cobbler. The finish is medium length with just a touch of soft spice. This was so much fun and a great experience. Definitely mature and knocking on the door of almost gone but still good, nonetheless. — 3 years ago

David Shaw

9.0

Pairing at dark chocolate tasting. Nice match with Dove dark, heightening the vanilla and middle chocolate flavors. Astringency heightened with Ghirardelli 72%. Overmatched by 82% Scharffen Berger — 6 years ago

Marshall Todd Herron DPM

9.8

2013 Shafer one point five cabernet sauvignon from the Stags Leap district of coarse! Well, perfection dad and son! John and Doug, you guys have mastered it. The cork was in perfect condition. After a 45 min eternity of time for decanting, the color is as dark as the night sky on a stormy night in the hills of Tennessee. The legs are slow and thick. The bouquet is peppered cranberry juice with a twist of rip figs growing on the tree. The initial palate is reminiscent of buttered toast and blackberry jam. There is a hint of spice and black pepper. On the finish which is very long, I detect black coffee and dark chocolate - not the Dove version, but the bitter version. There is an fired oaky wood flavor with a blast of a maduro cigar! The finish is very dry and if I don't get a sip of water soon My tongue my shrivel up. But I need another sip first!
Fantastic wine!
Here is a toast to the Shafer family and to my wonderful and beautiful Dayanara on our new home!
Cheers!
— 8 years ago

Marshall Todd Herron DPM

9.9

William Harrison cabernet franc 2016. Their best cab by far!!!!! I am so happy to have discovered this small family winery. The bouquet is lovely with aromas of dark berry pie. The initial palate brings an immediate flourish of blackberry jam and rhubarb. This is followed by a rush of leather, mineral soil, moss, and oak. The finish then comes dragging in with a beautiful chocolate and spicy finish. This will be perfect with a nice square of Dove dark chocolate. Hang on… Oh yes!!!!! A perfect compliment. It takes a little finesse to make a very good cab Franc and this Family has done an incredible job of it. Im ordering 6 more bottles right now! — 3 years ago

David Shaw

9.3

At dark chocolate pairing and tasting. Brings out honey and stone fruit flavors when paired with Dove dark chocolate. Similar but more restrained pairing with Ghirardelli 72%. Same but more bitter with Scharffenburger 82% — 6 years ago

James Forsyth

9.1

Medium bodied but packs a punch. Raspberry jam, maple bacon, Galaxy (in the US, Dove) chocolate bar. Good grip. Sustains well. — 6 years ago

David Shaw

8.9

Paired nicely, contrasting flavors vs. Dove dark chocolate; plenty of sweetness and orange peel flavor. (Nice product). Also works almost as well vs 72% Ghirardelli — 6 years ago

David Shaw

9.1

Paired well vs Dove dark chocolate, with fruit of wine and vanilla and chocolate flavors from the chocolate retained, complementary. Astringency of wine heightened somewhat. For 72% Ghirardelli just bitterness emphasized. — 6 years ago

David Shaw

9.0

First, this is a Washington state red wine; not French. Nice layered red. Paired well with Dove dark chocolate, brought out cocoa flavor in wine. Paired with 72% cacao Ghirardelli, astringency in finish was accentuated more — 6 years ago

LM Segal

9.2

No reference for this whatsoever but lauded by Somm and @Melissa Shabinsky, so dove in. Typical Napa nose, oaky dark red fruit with interesting secondary notes of mint, dark chocolate, and a tangy cherry that provided an acidic balance to the sweet tannins. P&P, so don't wait, but nice stuff for sure. — 9 years ago

with Melissa