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.
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, 2016Not 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
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
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! 😍
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, 2016Mulled blackberry, spicy leather, plum skin, sweet tobacco, nice finish.
Mulled blackberry, spicy leather, plum skin, sweet tobacco, nice finish.
Jan 26th, 2016
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