Shafer Vineyards

Hillside Select Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon

9.4111 ratings
9.429 pro ratings
Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California, USA
Cabernet Sauvignon
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy
Top Notes For
Shay A
9.7

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.

Mar 15th, 2020
Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.6

Super extracted and full of complex flavors. Beautiful deep crimson red. Nose was coated in dark fruits, hint of chalkiness, and definitely some oak influence such as vanilla extract. Complex palate with a ton of dark fruits (creme de cassis and dark berries) and a slightly savory finish. Moderate plus tannins (7/10) that was pretty well integrated with a thick, extracted and full bodied. Long and lingering finish covered with dark berries, but does have some slight heat in the finish. Tastes like a 2010 or younger, definitely not a 2004. Patience will be rewarded with this wine. Drink till 2036.

Super extracted and full of complex flavors. Beautiful deep crimson red. Nose was coated in dark fruits, hint of chalkiness, and definitely some oak influence such as vanilla extract. Complex palate with a ton of dark fruits (creme de cassis and dark berries) and a slightly savory finish. Moderate plus tannins (7/10) that was pretty well integrated with a thick, extracted and full bodied. Long and lingering finish covered with dark berries, but does have some slight heat in the finish. Tastes like a 2010 or younger, definitely not a 2004. Patience will be rewarded with this wine. Drink till 2036.

1 person found it helpfulApr 22nd, 2016
Pam Starr

Owner/Winemaker Crocker & Starr Wines

9.0

Not ready. Big and full of fruit and oak but needs more time. Had this w the Oshaughnessy and Betty won

Not ready. Big and full of fruit and oak but needs more time. Had this w the Oshaughnessy and Betty won

1 person found it helpfulMar 30th, 2015
Jay McInerney

Novelist, Wine Critic Town & Country, Expensive Wino & Gastronaut

9.4

Lush and ripe yes but very precise acidity too. There's Stags leap terroir here. Just starting to reach its maturity

Lush and ripe yes but very precise acidity too. There's Stags leap terroir here. Just starting to reach its maturity

1 person found it helpfulJan 17th, 2015
Matthew Denny

It's everything it should be

It's everything it should be

Jul 2nd, 2017
Shay A
9.7

Needless to say, we slayed some dragons tonight. Let the birthday week continue!

This was my wine of the night. Thanks to Joe for bringing this out. Oh. My. Goodness. Maybe it was due to drinking this after some '80s cabs, but this was like decadent milk chocolate and bacon fat. And it's 13yrs old! 😍

Needless to say, we slayed some dragons tonight. Let the birthday week continue!

This was my wine of the night. Thanks to Joe for bringing this out. Oh. My. Goodness. Maybe it was due to drinking this after some '80s cabs, but this was like decadent milk chocolate and bacon fat. And it's 13yrs old! 😍

Apr 15th, 2017
Beau Carufel

Winemaker/Owner Random Wine Company

8.2

Good primer on what volatile acidity is. Tons of ripe, flabby fruit. Punchy tannins. Overwhelmed the food we all had.

Good primer on what volatile acidity is. Tons of ripe, flabby fruit. Punchy tannins. Overwhelmed the food we all had.

Dec 21st, 2016
Andres Montoya

Mulled blackberry, spicy leather, plum skin, sweet tobacco, nice finish.

Mulled blackberry, spicy leather, plum skin, sweet tobacco, nice finish.

Jan 26th, 2016
Logan Smyser

What a beauty!

What a beauty!

Jun 20th, 2015
Charlie Evans

This wine is going places. Would be interested to try this in another few years.

This wine is going places. Would be interested to try this in another few years.

Mar 20th, 2015