2017 SHAFER VINEYARDS CABERNET SAUVIGNON HILLSIDE SELECT STAGS LEAP DISTRICT 1.50L

The 2017 is our 35th vintage of Hillside Select and this release more than earns its place in this classic elegant lineage. In the glass you’ll find rich opulent aromas of blackberry cocoa black cherry rhubarb rose water and espresso. The mouth is a juicy energetic cascade of summer bramble fruit cassis black licorice red plum fresh cracked pepper and baking spice with a lengthy compelling finish._x000D_
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Wine Advocate_x000D_
Score: 98+_x000D_
“Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select displays a deep garnet-purple color bursting from the glass with scents of blueberry pie creme de cassis black cherry compote and chocolate box plus nuances of cedar chest clove oil lavender and menthol. The richly fruited full-bodied palate has a lively skip in its step featuring gorgeous ripe velvety tannins and fantastic freshness to support all the spicy black fruit layers finishing long and perfumed. An absolute triumph!” – Lisa Perrotti-Brown_x000D_
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JebDunnuck.com_x000D_
Score: 98_x000D_
“In the running for the wine of the vintage the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is an incredible success and offers more depth opulence and purity than just about every other wine out there. Revealing a dense purple color as well as a killer nose of blueberries chocolate-covered cherries scorched earth tobacco violets and exotic spices it hits the palate with full-bodied richness a seamless pure incredibly layered mouthfeel building tannins and a great great finish. As with most top 2017s it stays tight and compact on the palate with notable structure and impressive concentration. It has some up-front appeal given its purity of fruit and balance yet it’s going to take 7-8 years to hit prime time and will be a long-lived bottle of Napa Cabernet. Hats off to Doug Shafer and the team for yet another magical Cabernet Sauvignon!” – Jeb Dunnuck_x000D_
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JamesSuckling.com_x000D_
Score: 98_x000D_
“Wild blackberries and brambleberries on the nose with raw cocoa cloves and crushed gravel. Violets and orange peel too. It’s medium-bodied with wonderful purity and depth of fruit interlaced with dark-chocolate flavors. Firm well-integrated tannins. Complex and refined with fantastic energy. One of the finest Hillside Selects I have had. Better from 2024.” – James Suckling_x000D_
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Vinous_x000D_
Score: 97_x000D_
“The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is an insanely beautiful wine. The aromatics alone are pure seduction. Juicy red berry fruit crushed flower cinnamon blood orange and spice give the 2017 quite a bit of complexity but it is the wine’s textural finesse and impeccable balance that elevate it to its place among the very finest wines of the year. Stylistically the 2017 is a bit more red-toned in profile. Texturally it is a bit lighter and less opulent than the norm but that is not a bad thing. The 2017 has always been stellar from barrel but the from-bottle tasting is the proof in the pudding. It’s a tour de force from Proprietor Doug Shafer and Winemaker Elias Fernandez.” – Antonio Galloni_x000D_
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