Shafer Vineyards
Hillside Select Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon
Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California, USA
Wednesday Wine Committee from this past week. A fantastic hosting by @joe leatherwood . 1 sparkler, 2 whites, 5 reds, 1 dessert wine. All tasted blind as usual.
Looks like I had this wine about three years ago and my experience was pretty much the same. This is hedonistic and powerful Napa cab at its best. My first guess when trying it was Aussie Shiraz...it has such a rich and decadent profile with espresso, blue and black fruits, dark chocolate, and sweet smoke, but it had a peppery/smoked meat note at the finish which took me to Australia Shiraz. However, the longer it opened, the more smooth it got, displaying cassis, currant, baked mixed berry pie all in an opulent profile. To my credit, I called this Shafer Hillside Select but I also mentioned high end Aussie Shiraz.
Wednesday Wine Committee from this past week. A fantastic hosting by @joe leatherwood . 1 sparkler, 2 whites, 5 reds, 1 dessert wine. All tasted blind as usual.
Looks like I had this wine about three years ago and my experience was pretty much the same. This is hedonistic and powerful Napa cab at its best. My first guess when trying it was Aussie Shiraz...it has such a rich and decadent profile with espresso, blue and black fruits, dark chocolate, and sweet smoke, but it had a peppery/smoked meat note at the finish which took me to Australia Shiraz. However, the longer it opened, the more smooth it got, displaying cassis, currant, baked mixed berry pie all in an opulent profile. To my credit, I called this Shafer Hillside Select but I also mentioned high end Aussie Shiraz.
Shafer hillside needs at least 10 years to open and 20 to really open its wings
Shafer hillside needs at least 10 years to open and 20 to really open its wings
Feb 13th, 2020Lots of fun bottles were popped at Al’s hosting this past weekend for his birthday celebration. All were served blind. 1 sparkler, 2 whites, 6 reds and 1 dessert wine.
Out of all the wines from the night, this one changed the most. At first, it was very reminiscent of South African blends with a smoky rubbery like note. Odd. After about two hours, it shed that and was showing a lot of sweet cassis, baking spices, ripe red and black fruits. Balanced and smooth on the palate with graham cracker, dates, dark cocoa and mixed berries. I called this Napa cab but couldn’t pin point a producer. Props to Weston for calling this Shafer HSS!
Lots of fun bottles were popped at Al’s hosting this past weekend for his birthday celebration. All were served blind. 1 sparkler, 2 whites, 6 reds and 1 dessert wine.
Out of all the wines from the night, this one changed the most. At first, it was very reminiscent of South African blends with a smoky rubbery like note. Odd. After about two hours, it shed that and was showing a lot of sweet cassis, baking spices, ripe red and black fruits. Balanced and smooth on the palate with graham cracker, dates, dark cocoa and mixed berries. I called this Napa cab but couldn’t pin point a producer. Props to Weston for calling this Shafer HSS!
July 4th Friday was a total blowout! Killer bottles one after another. Here are just a few of the bottles we all enjoyed!
Such a treat to compare this against the ‘08 Schrader To Kalon and the ‘09 Chappellet Pritchard Hill. This was decidedly more dusty. Dark cocoa dusted dates, cassis, and black cherry compote over toasted graham crackers. This was decanted about an hour+ before we got to it and it was still powering through hours later. Thanks, @joe leatherwood .
July 4th Friday was a total blowout! Killer bottles one after another. Here are just a few of the bottles we all enjoyed!
Such a treat to compare this against the ‘08 Schrader To Kalon and the ‘09 Chappellet Pritchard Hill. This was decidedly more dusty. Dark cocoa dusted dates, cassis, and black cherry compote over toasted graham crackers. This was decanted about an hour+ before we got to it and it was still powering through hours later. Thanks, @joe leatherwood .
I wouldn’t touch this for a decade if I owned it but with a decent it was showing well now
I wouldn’t touch this for a decade if I owned it but with a decent it was showing well now
May 1st, 2019
To me Shafer is among the worlds best wineries. Aged 32 months in 100% new French oak. Vivid deep purple color, and outstanding aromas of red/black fruits, cherries and blackberries, with hints of cedar, floral oak & spice. Tasting this wine was absolutely magnificent, concentrated dark berry fruit flavors, spices, leather and oak, exploding on my palate. Soft velvety subtle tannins provide a nice deep lingering finish. Truly an outstanding Cab, one of the best. If you can find yourself a bottle, do not hesitate. Should last at least 10 more yrs.
To me Shafer is among the worlds best wineries. Aged 32 months in 100% new French oak. Vivid deep purple color, and outstanding aromas of red/black fruits, cherries and blackberries, with hints of cedar, floral oak & spice. Tasting this wine was absolutely magnificent, concentrated dark berry fruit flavors, spices, leather and oak, exploding on my palate. Soft velvety subtle tannins provide a nice deep lingering finish. Truly an outstanding Cab, one of the best. If you can find yourself a bottle, do not hesitate. Should last at least 10 more yrs.
Mar 18th, 2019Just a few bottles from an awesome Open That Bottle Night celebration this past weekend.
This was enjoyed next to the ‘94 mag of Insignia. Fun side by side. Loads more fruit here with a sweeter finish. Darker fruit profile of old blackberry and overripe blueberry. Fig, graham cracker and nutmeg with a touch of cedar and herbal notes. Age is just starting to show. Awesome.
Just a few bottles from an awesome Open That Bottle Night celebration this past weekend.
This was enjoyed next to the ‘94 mag of Insignia. Fun side by side. Loads more fruit here with a sweeter finish. Darker fruit profile of old blackberry and overripe blueberry. Fig, graham cracker and nutmeg with a touch of cedar and herbal notes. Age is just starting to show. Awesome.
3 hour Audoze followed by a 2 hour decant and poured back in the bottle for dinner. This was extraordinary! Every bit as impressive as the ‘01 and ‘02. Robust blackberries, graphite, a smooth yet substantial mouthfeel and a sensational lingering finish. I recall reading a review of the Shafer HSS that descried the wine as “an elegant sledgehammer”....a perfectly succinct and apt description
3 hour Audoze followed by a 2 hour decant and poured back in the bottle for dinner. This was extraordinary! Every bit as impressive as the ‘01 and ‘02. Robust blackberries, graphite, a smooth yet substantial mouthfeel and a sensational lingering finish. I recall reading a review of the Shafer HSS that descried the wine as “an elegant sledgehammer”....a perfectly succinct and apt description
Feb 25th, 2019
Tasted blind. Dark reddish purple color, opaque. Looks and smells rich. Notes of black berry fruit, tobacco, some cassis and a little anise. Chewy in the mouth. Powerful fruit and structure - this is still young. Easy to guess as a young Cal Cab, althought it wasn't that young.
Tasted blind. Dark reddish purple color, opaque. Looks and smells rich. Notes of black berry fruit, tobacco, some cassis and a little anise. Chewy in the mouth. Powerful fruit and structure - this is still young. Easy to guess as a young Cal Cab, althought it wasn't that young.
Feb 3rd, 2019
Just starting to show development. Dried black fruits upfront. Secondary notes of Cigar box, coffee bean, eucalyptus. Very textural, dense, ripe tannins, long length. Excited to see over next 5 years
Just starting to show development. Dried black fruits upfront. Secondary notes of Cigar box, coffee bean, eucalyptus. Very textural, dense, ripe tannins, long length. Excited to see over next 5 years
Oct 6th, 2018