2019 Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon
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Tasting notes
Deep purple in colour. Concentrated cassis and raspberry on both the nose and palate. Thick and chewy. Lots of warmth and a wallop of oak spice but with plenty of acidity to balance. A hole-in-one, old-school Napa Cab. (SCJ)
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent
More reviews and scores
Deep purple in colour. Concentrated cassis and raspberry on both the nose and palate. Thick and chewy. Lots of warmth and a wallop of oak spice but with plenty of acidity to balance. A hole-in-one, old-school Napa Cab.
This broad, rich and mouthfilling wine is Shafer's most elite and collectible. Aged for 32 months in all-new French oak barrels, it boasts extra-ripe blackberries and blueberries, accents of mint, cedar and graphite, and a big structure of polished tannins. Tempting to drink soon for its indulgent flavors, the wine should be best from 2027–2037. — Jim Gordon
Sourced from specific blocks of estate-grown fruit, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is another highly successful vintage. All Cabernet Sauvignon aged 32 months in 100% new French oak, it boasts intense aromas of pencil shavings, dark loam, cassis and plum on the nose, while the palate is full-bodied, super-ripe, rich, dense and concentrated—a truly impressive California vin de garde. Tannic but ripe, it finishes long and firm on the finish, adding a hint of mocha. To be released in September 2023, it's a strong showing and hopefully an indication that quality will remain high under the new ownership.
About the producer
The site of Shafer has been around since 1880, and grapes continued to be grown here, even during prohibition. It is said that some wine was made here during that time. In 1972, John Shafer bought the property in the Stag’s Leap district, he immediately began planting the Cabernet on the hillside.