2002 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

My second time in the last month or so drinking this and I am not complaining. I had a small taste at a wine dinner featuring many other bottles and then a small glass on the next day. Fantastic wine. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose has cassis, pencil lead, cedar, smoke and leather. Full bodied. Medium tannins. Great balance. On the palate, this is deep and complex. Flavors of cassis, graphite dry earthiness, char and leather. Long finish. Delicious. I won't give this a 100 score as I just didn't pay enough attention to it, but was fantastic.

Grade:

Vintage:

2002

Current Price:

$395.00USD

Top Napa Cabernet Sauvignon - 2019 Tastings

The top Cabernet Sauvignon tasted and reviewed by Loren Sonkin in 2019.

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Top 50 California Cabernet Sauvignons to Try Before You Quit Drinking (a non-dump bucket list if you will!)

In putting together a list of the top California Cabernets, there is sure to be some disagreement. I tried to include those wines that have a track record, the wineries still making great wines, those that seemed to have the commitment for the future and some personal favorites. I am sure I left some out. 1. Shafer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select – It’s always hard to name the number one wine. But this has a track record that’s very long. Even in less than stellar vintages, it is an outstanding wine. They just don’t seem to make a dud. My only complaint is the price at over $200 a bottle. But, in comparison to other Napa Cabs or elsewhere in the world, this is a fair price.

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2002 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select, USA, California, Napa, Stags Leap, Wine Review

Vintage:

2002

Score:

100

Grade:

A+

Current Price:

$400.00USD

if Napa had First Growth designations, this would be on the list. The Lafite of Napa. Long history, Great wines, and a Reasonably large production. Such consistency. At age 22, this is cruising along without showing any old age. Purple in color, garnet at the rim, opaque and bright. The nose has cassis, pencil lead, cedar, smoke and just a hint of leather. Full bodied. Medium tannins. Great balance. On the palate, this is deep and complex. Flavors of cassis, slight earthiness, char and just a bit of leather. Long finish. Delicious. Great on its own, this would be classic with

2006 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage:

2006

Score:

Grade:

A+

Current Price:

$200.00USD

Shafer Hillside Select is one of the great wines in Napa and the world. It is priced accordingly, but every once in a while, it is worth splurging on a bottle with friends. This bottle was decanted for sediment (there was very little) and allowed to breathe in the cellar for four hours prior to consuming. A magnificent showing for this wine from admittedly, not one of their best vintages. Purple in color with some ruby hues to it. The nose is wonderful with cassis, slight pencil lead, a bit of coffee grounds and a slight salinity. On the palate, lots of cassis. Deep with layers of gr

2003 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select, USA, California, Napa, Stags Leap

Vintage:

2003

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$265.00USD

Shafer Hillside Select is quite simply a First Growth of Napa Cabernets. Every vintage is always one of the top releases from Napa. Inky purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is great with cassis, smoke, cedar, graphite and dust. Full bodied. Medium tannins. On the palate, there is cassis with layers of graphite, cedar and smoke. Nice complexity. This is just about fully mature at this point. Long finish. This is delicious on its own and will work well with roasted meats and veggies. Drink over the next ten to twelve years.

2002 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

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