Shafer Vineyards
Hillside Select Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon
Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California, USA
Brought by a friend for our dinner at Dia Deka. Decanted at the table and served about an hour after opening. Dark purple with scarlet purple rims. Totally opaque, dense like Guinness. Fruit forward nose. Notes of black fruit, mocha, earthy spices, blueberries, cedar wood, some smoke and some vanilla. Rich and dense in the mouth. Well balanced. Still a baby. Powerful stuff
Brought by a friend for our dinner at Dia Deka. Decanted at the table and served about an hour after opening. Dark purple with scarlet purple rims. Totally opaque, dense like Guinness. Fruit forward nose. Notes of black fruit, mocha, earthy spices, blueberries, cedar wood, some smoke and some vanilla. Rich and dense in the mouth. Well balanced. Still a baby. Powerful stuff
May 6th, 2021
Very dense and primary still. Dark plum, damson, blood, hint of minerality and menthol. Beautifully rich and smooth, real velvet on the palate. Good balance and long. If there’s a knock, it lacks a little in definition and wildness... all is subsumed in a smooth and rich ride.
Very dense and primary still. Dark plum, damson, blood, hint of minerality and menthol. Beautifully rich and smooth, real velvet on the palate. Good balance and long. If there’s a knock, it lacks a little in definition and wildness... all is subsumed in a smooth and rich ride.
Mar 28th, 202113.5 alc.! Very nice. In a lovely spot
13.5 alc.! Very nice. In a lovely spot
Jan 3rd, 2021
WHN virtual tasting of different HHS - I choose the 2005 - 3 hour decant - medium body and palette / red blue and of course black fruits - stags leap taste profile with old school winemaking - length was not as long as I would have wanted - ABV is 15% and just a little heat present - delicious and could last longer but why wait as this fruit forward is perfectly integrated now
WHN virtual tasting of different HHS - I choose the 2005 - 3 hour decant - medium body and palette / red blue and of course black fruits - stags leap taste profile with old school winemaking - length was not as long as I would have wanted - ABV is 15% and just a little heat present - delicious and could last longer but why wait as this fruit forward is perfectly integrated now
Dec 14th, 2020
Oak but good oak. Needed a decant at 17 years old. A sign of a great wine. Once decanted, it sang so smoothly like Norah Jones. I would like this again. Thank you Lim.
Oak but good oak. Needed a decant at 17 years old. A sign of a great wine. Once decanted, it sang so smoothly like Norah Jones. I would like this again. Thank you Lim.
Sep 15th, 2020
2005 Shafer "Hillside Select" Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon.
Palate- Warm black cherries, plum, blackberries & fresh black currants. Complexed/seamless, remarkably balanced, finishing with great length & depth. Tremendous wine that’s raring to go now. @Mike R Multiple thanks aging for sharing this sensation bottle.
2005 Shafer "Hillside Select" Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon.
Palate- Warm black cherries, plum, blackberries & fresh black currants. Complexed/seamless, remarkably balanced, finishing with great length & depth. Tremendous wine that’s raring to go now. @Mike R Multiple thanks aging for sharing this sensation bottle.
A big styled wine with well integrated tannins. Nice notes of spice and cocoa on top of the core of ripe darker fruits. Best at cellar temp after 90 minute decant.
A big styled wine with well integrated tannins. Nice notes of spice and cocoa on top of the core of ripe darker fruits. Best at cellar temp after 90 minute decant.
Jul 1st, 2020
Just fabulous at Saturday’s Stags Leap Vinous Learn. Sumptuous, silky and drinking beautifully 🤩😱
Just fabulous at Saturday’s Stags Leap Vinous Learn. Sumptuous, silky and drinking beautifully 🤩😱
Jun 24th, 2020
To me Shafer is among the worlds best wineries. Aged 32 months in 100% new French oak. Deep Ruby Ruby w/wonderful aromas of red/black fruits, cherry and blackberry, with hints of cedar, earthy 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. Just Perfect!!!!
To me Shafer is among the worlds best wineries. Aged 32 months in 100% new French oak. Deep Ruby Ruby w/wonderful aromas of red/black fruits, cherry and blackberry, with hints of cedar, earthy 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. Just Perfect!!!!
Jun 10th, 2020