Shafer Vineyards
Hillside Select Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon
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Shafer HS is an all time favorite of mine but I don't typically open a bottle within 10 years of release. This bottle illustrated why. It's still in its chrysalis--developing and building and gaining weight and shedding tannin. Just not ready even after hours in the decanter.
Shafer HS is an all time favorite of mine but I don't typically open a bottle within 10 years of release. This bottle illustrated why. It's still in its chrysalis--developing and building and gaining weight and shedding tannin. Just not ready even after hours in the decanter.
May 11th, 2017
Well on it's way but still needs more time. A little heat on the attack gave way to a smooth, balanced dark fruit profile of bruised plum and macerated sweet black currant with some graphite undertones. The mid-palate was certainly not hollow but the secondary characteristics are just not spilling out like a more mature vintage of the HSS will show at its best (like the '02 I had earlier this year that encompasses all the best of this maker). Hold or audoze for several hours and then decant. Still an exceptional wine that will just keep ascending and evolving.
Well on it's way but still needs more time. A little heat on the attack gave way to a smooth, balanced dark fruit profile of bruised plum and macerated sweet black currant with some graphite undertones. The mid-palate was certainly not hollow but the secondary characteristics are just not spilling out like a more mature vintage of the HSS will show at its best (like the '02 I had earlier this year that encompasses all the best of this maker). Hold or audoze for several hours and then decant. Still an exceptional wine that will just keep ascending and evolving.
Jul 2nd, 2016
Way too young at this point for a fair shake. Needs a lot more time.
Way too young at this point for a fair shake. Needs a lot more time.
Jun 17th, 2016
Still too young. #napavalley #cabernetsauvignon #msclassic #cultclassic
Still too young. #napavalley #cabernetsauvignon #msclassic #cultclassic
Nov 3rd, 2015
Deep, dark blueberry and blackberry pie. So delicious! Could use a lot more time but we were celebrating
Deep, dark blueberry and blackberry pie. So delicious! Could use a lot more time but we were celebrating
May 3rd, 2015
15.5% alc.
Despite the lofty alc. this showed really great.
15.5% alc.
Despite the lofty alc. this showed really great.