2005 Shafer, Hillside Select, Stags Leap District, Bottle (750ml)

RP99 "One of the world’s great wines and profound expressions of Cabernet Sauvignon, is the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select. This wine spends more than 30 months in 100% new oak, and, year in year out, has been one of the most singular and profound examples of Cabernet Sauvignon in the world. It seems Shafer began to ratchet up performance during the 1990s, and the first decade of the 21st century has provided a treasure trove of either perfect or nearly perfect wines, including the 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007 and more recently the 2010, 2012 and, in all likelihood, the 2013. The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select (about 2,000 cases produced) is another one of those “wow” wines, but it does it with a sort of measured richness and restraint and extraordinary subtle character, like the Gary Cooper of Napa Cabernet Sauvignons – authentic, tall, straight-boned, but substantial and worthy of introspection. Inky purple, with a classic nose of creme de cassis, licorice, a touch of vanilla and forest floor, the wine hits the palate with a gorgeous display of measured, but substantial fruit, body and intensity. Not a component is out of place, and the wine remarkably pure and persuasive. Combine great winemaking with great viticulture and a special terroir, and this is the result. Readers are in the presence of genius when tasting this wine." RP Jun 2015
"It is unlikely there is a more consistent winery performing at such a high level of quality than Shafer. The patriarch, John Shafer, has two extraordinary four-star generals working under him – his son Doug and long-time winemaker Elias Fernandez. They are seemingly incapable of fumbling any vintage or varietal. When you consider that they make Chardonnay, a Rhone-Ranger blend, Merlot and several Cabernets, few wineries have equaled their quality level over the last 25 years, which is, for a wine critic who has been doing this for 37 years, simply remarkable – somewhat like local hero Cal Ripken’s consecutive game streak." RP Dec 2006