Shafer 2013 Hillside Select

The Shafer 2013 Hillside Select is a masterpiece of winemaking, offering a truly indulgent experience for the senses. On the palate, it presents a lavish feast of flavors, including luscious black cherry, velvety dark chocolate, briar fruit, and the enchanting notes of black tea and cola. The wine also reveals the intense richness of blackberry and tobacco, complemented by the subtle complexity of aromatic herbs. As the layers of flavor unfold, they are beautifully intertwined with the presence of slate minerality, adding depth and nuance to the wine's profile. The Stags Leap District tannins, known for their elegance, are seamlessly integrated, providing a silky texture that caresses the palate. With its remarkable harmony and balance, the finishing taste lingers on, leaving a lasting impression of this exceptional wine. In terms of color, the Shafer 2013 Hillside Select displays a deep, alluring hue that reflects its depth and concentration. This wine is a true testament to Shafer Vineyards' commitment to excellence and their ability to craft wines of extraordinary character and finesse.

Robert Parker - 98+ Points

"The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select will probably hit the magic three-digit score, but it is a more backward style of wine, although probably even more concentrated than the 2012, and that’s saying something. Fabulous potential of 30-50 years is evident in this profound bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon that is inky blue/black to the rim and offers up notes of charcoal embers, scorched earth, blackberries, cassis, blueberries, a hint of coffee, and background barrique smells. Massively concentrated but incredibly elegant and poised, this is a wine of great energy and vibrancy. It is fabulously deep, built like a skyscraper, and set for an incredibly long life. Try not to consume a bottle for at least another 4-5 years and then watch the magic unfold."

Antonio Galloni - 97+ Points

"Just bottled a few months before this tasting, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is shaping up to be a jewel of a wine. Readers will have to be patient with this big, tannic Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2013 doesn't have the sensuality of the 2012 nor the silkiness of the 2011. Instead, the 2013 is a dense, vertical wine that needs at least a few years of cellaring. This is an intensely savory, mineral driven vintage for Shafer's flagship Cabernet Sauvignon."