2005 Shafer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon "Hillside Select"

Winery: Shafer Vineyards

Vintage: 2005

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Hillside Select"

Wine Category: Cabernet Sauvignon

Grape blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Stags Leap

State or country: CA

Price: $215

Cases produced: 2,400

KWG Score: 96 (based on 8 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Excellent (97)

Review date: August 6, 2009

Wine Review: The reason this wine is called “Hillside Select” is because the winemakers at Shafer select the best grapes from the Hillside vineyards surrounding the winery. Based upon what I tasted, they had some spectacular grapes to choose from in 2005. This Cab is the best red wine that I tried on my recent trip to California. This very dark opaque purple colored wine opens with a very attractive spicy black cherry bouquet. On the palate, this wine is full bodied, extremely well balanced, and elegant. This wine is absolutely stunning with refined blackberry flavors with delicate notes of black cherry, black licorice, and spice. The finish is dry and it is rather lengthy. The tannins sail along for several minutes. Pair this gem with a NY Strip steak. Enjoy - Ken

Winemaker Notes: "This Hillside Select emerges from the bottle with a striking balance of dark, elegant fruit and youthful power. These are the aromas and flavors our hillside vineyards have delivered for more than 30 years – loads of blackberry, black cherry, cassis, dark chocolate, and black spice integrated seamlessly with vanilla and oak, all drawn together by silky-textured, ripe tannins." — ELIAS FERNANDEZ

Organic status: not organic