Stags Leap

This is a blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Malbec and the remainder Petite Verdot and Merlot.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with cassis, graphite, plums, and char.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Nice balance.  On the palate, this seems fully mature but not showing much age past that.  Lovely texture.  Flavors of cassis and plums with underlying earthiness and char.  Long finish.  This should stay at this level and drink well for another ten to fifteen years.  Nice on its own, this will work with many foods (not seafood).  Brisket would work well.  

Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has an earthiness along with black olives and cassis. Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, flavors of cassis, black cherries and spice.  Nice finish.  Overall, a pretty classic Stags Leap Cab that is just getting to maturity.  Drink over the next ten years.  It is nice on its own and will work with many foods. It would work well with Roasted Root Vegetable Casserole.  

This is the "signature" Cabernet from Shafer.  It is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cassis, char, graphite, slight blueberries and spice.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Nice texture.  On the palate, this is tasty.  Flavors of cassis, slight blueberries with a touch of tobacco, spice and char.  Long finish.  This is drinking well if not yet at peak.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  It is great on its own and would work well with foods.  A nice choice with a slow cooked Pot Roast.   

This is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec, and 2% Cabernet Franc.  inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with cassis, cedar, slight graphite and spice.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Nicely balanced.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Young but showing some development.  Flavors of cassis, spice, slight dry leather and char.  Long finish.  This is lovely on its own and will work well with big meats, fowl or veggies.  It worked very well with a simple Pasta dish.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  

This is a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 6% Malbec, and 2% Petit Verdot.  Inky purple, opaque and bright.  The nose is tight but opens a bit with some air.  Cassis, dust, oak and cumin.  Firm tannins.  Lots of energy.  Good acidity.  On the palate, black cherries, cassis and spice with plenty of depth.  Good finish.  This needs time for my tastes.  There is a lot here but it seems a bit shut down.  I would hold for five and then drink for ten to fifteen after that.  If drinking soon, it will need a steak or Prime Rib to stand up to the tannins.  The score should go up a few poi

This includes 1% Merlot in the blend.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is classic with cassis, slight tobacco, spice, chocolate and char.  Full bodied.  Medium to firm tannins.  Good balance and acidity.  On the palate, this drinks easy.  The fruit is somewhat concentrated with flavors of cassis, plums, slight dry forest floor, chocolate and spice.  Good finish.  This should be cellared for a few years and then drink for eight to twelve after that.  Nice on its own, this will work with with meat or fowl based dishes.  BBQ Chicken would be a good choice.   

There is an old saying that great wineries make great wine even in off vintages.  That is undoubtedly true and this is yet another example.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with cassis, graphite, slight leather, spice and char.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Great energy.  On the palate, this is deep, complex and delicious.  Perhaps maturing a bit quicker than better vintages.  At age 13 it is nearing peak.  Loads of cassis with some tobacco and char.  Long finish.  This is great on its own and will work well with most non-seafood dishes.  It went great with a P