Shafer Vineyards

Hillside Select Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon

9.51931 ratings
9.3410 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
Jake Hajer

Dense, umami, black fruit

Dense, umami, black fruit

Apr 10th, 2023
Bob Bath

Master Sommelier & Educator CIA Greystone

9.2

Out of magnum

Out of magnum

Nov 14th, 2022
Sipping Fine Wine

Hillside Select is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged 32 months in 100% new 60-gallon French oak barrels. Deep Ruby with pronounced aromas of red/black fruits, with hints of cedar, floral, oak, herbs & spice. On the palate flavors of concentrated ripe blackberry, cherry and raspberry preserves, pepper spice, leather and earthy cacao. Fine savory tannins, well balanced, long finish, great structure ending with fruit, spice, oak and earthy mineral character. Outstanding!

Hillside Select is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged 32 months in 100% new 60-gallon French oak barrels. Deep Ruby with pronounced aromas of red/black fruits, with hints of cedar, floral, oak, herbs & spice. On the palate flavors of concentrated ripe blackberry, cherry and raspberry preserves, pepper spice, leather and earthy cacao. Fine savory tannins, well balanced, long finish, great structure ending with fruit, spice, oak and earthy mineral character. Outstanding!

Jun 20th, 2022
Mike Saviage

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
Conrad Green

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, 2021
Cathy Corison

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

9.3

13.5 alc.! Very nice. In a lovely spot

13.5 alc.! Very nice. In a lovely spot

Jan 3rd, 2021
Mike R
9.6

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
Michael Herzog

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
Mike R
9.7

Omg so good and still young - loved it with @David L

Omg so good and still young - loved it with @David L

Jul 13th, 2020
David L

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.

Jul 13th, 2020