Shafer 1998 Hillside Select

The Shafer 1998 Hillside Select is a remarkable wine that showcases the excellence of Napa Valley. On the palate, it offers a luxurious and velvety texture, with soft tannins that caress the senses. The mouthfeel is rich and opulent, revealing a beautiful blend of flavors that include currants, vanilla, black tea, and a hint of mineral. These elements come together harmoniously, creating a captivating experience that unfolds with each sip. The wine leaves a lasting impression with its long and satisfying finish, allowing the flavors to linger on the palate. In terms of color, it exhibits depth and intensity, reflecting its maturity and concentration. The Shafer 1998 Hillside Select is a true testament to the craftsmanship and dedication of the winemakers, offering a memorable journey through the very best of Napa Valley's terroir.

Robert Parker - 96 Points5

"The 1998 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select was produced during a challenging vintage in Napa Valley with an incredible heat wave in mid-July, with temperatures at the Hillside Select property hitting an astonishing 114 degrees. This was brutal for the grapes, but a strict selection, and as Doug and John Shafer said, “We make no excuses at this winery.” Certainly, this was one of the great successes in this vintage. Very tiny yields from small, rather shriveled berries produced a super-extracted, rich, intense wine that has some smokey barbecue notes along with blackcurrants, cedar wood, wet rocks and background oak and burning embers. There's almost a Graves-like, scorched earth character to this vintage. This medium to full-bodied wine is intense and undeniably one of the top ten wines in Napa Valley. Moreover, it should continue to drink well for another 10-15 years."