Alcohol: 15.3%
Grape(s): Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec
Localization: Napa Valley, California, US
Tasting notes: This vintage is an aromatic feast of summer berries, rose petals, rhubarb, raspberry, and black cherry jam. In the mouth, this racy red blend is all juicy, briary red, and blackberry fruit that’s spicy and energetic with a structure of ripe tannins and a long, plush finish.
93 points James Suckling: This has a meaty nose with grilled plums, smoke, tapenade and dried leaves. Some tomato paste. It’s medium-to-full-bodied with firm, chewy tannins. Broad and flavorful with a distinctively savory, saline finish. 56% merlot, 23% cabernet sauvignon and 21% malbec. Better from 2021.
The Domain: Shafer Vineyards in Napa Valley, California, is an iconic family-owned winery, named one of the top 25 vineyards in the world by wine publication Wine & Spirits and “one of the world’s greatest wineries” by wine critic Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Since 1978 the Shafer family has produced wine in the Stags Leap District, one of the most highly-regarded winegrowing regions within Napa Valley.
Shafer’s wines, including its signature wine, Hillside Select, are found in collectors’ cellars and wine lists in top hotels and restaurants worldwide.
The small winery is managed by Doug Shafer, son of winery founders John and Bett Shafer. Elias Fernandez is the winemaker. The winery team cultivates more than 200 acres of Shafer-owned vineyards, sources for the winery's celebrated Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay, TD-9, One Point Five, Relentless, and Hillside Select.
