Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon 1997

Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon 1997

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£410.00
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  • Robert Parker rating 96
  • Vinous rating 92
Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
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HED3982

75 cl

14.5%
£410.00
Taxes included.

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Since inception in 1972, Shafer Vineyards has unquestionably been at the forefront of exceptional Californian wine production and their flagship wine, Hillside Select, is consistently one of the finest wines from the Napa Valley. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, fruit is sourced from 14 rugged vineyard blocks planted on an amphitheatre-shaped piece of land that surrounds the winery. 1997 was a tremendous vintage in California and this is a heavenly release perfectly in its prime drinking phase. With melting tannins and silky texture, it exhibits incredibly intense notes of creme de cassis, dark cherry, woodsmoke, tobacco and cedar. It is powerful and rich, yet wonderfully refined.
92 Vinous
(14.5% alcohol): Bright saturated ruby to the rim. Brooding blackberry, dark cherry and licorice aromas show both medicinal and superripe aspects. Rather suave and tight-grained on entry, then high-pitched, thick and very sweet--in fact almost liqueur-like--in the middle, conveying a slightly chunky character to its dark fruit and licorice flavors. Huge material here but still a bit unevolved and hard to warm to. I wanted more shape, clarity and elegance but this wine, amazingly, still needs time. Finishes with big, chewy tannins. This bottle was a bit less plush than the one I tasted in 2016 as part of an extensive vertical tasting at Shafer Vineyards but appears to have a considerably longer life ahead of it.Stephen Tanzer1st September 2017

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Shafer

Shafer

A Family Tradition

An icon of modern winemaking in the Napa Valley, Shafer Vineyards was founded in 1972 by John Shafer, who left a career in publishing to pursue his passion for oenology in California. John and family moved into an estate in Stag's Leap District and began work re-establishing vineyards on the surrounding land. Around five years later, the first Cabernet Sauvignon was produced and it was clear that John had a natural talent for winemaking. Since then, the portfolio has expanded to include Merlot, Syrah and Chardonnay-based wines to name but a few - quality is high across the board and the team pay close attention to preserving varietal character across all bottlings.

John sadly passed away in 2019 and the winery is now managed by his son Doug - a graduate of UC Davis. Doug continues his father's work in partnership with Elias Fernandez, assistant winemaker at Shafer Vineyards. Their flagship wine is Hillside Select, produced using 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged for 32 months in new French oak.

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