Shafer 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Hillside Select, Stags Leap District

One of Napa Valley's most sought after wines. Produced in tiny quantities and highly allocated. Also a proven collectible that improves in every way over time. This 2014 is the latest release and has of course received raves reviews.

The Wine Advocate scored this 98+ saying "Very deep purple-black in color, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select comes bounding out of the glass with gregarious scents of crème de cassis, warm black cherries, plum preserves and Indian spices with hints of lilacs, garrigue, stewed tea and cigar box plus a waft of charcuterie. Full-bodied, rich, boldly fruited and wildly decadent, it has a rock-solid frame of grainy tannins and compelling freshness, finishing with loads of earthy and savory layers."
 

James Suckling scored this 98 points saying "There’s an intensely ripe, fresh and vibrant edge to this focused, elegant and assertively pure cabernet that delivers attractive blueberry and cassis aromas in stylish form. The palate arrives as a precise and focused suite of ripe blueberry and blackberry flavors, building smoothly to an attractively crisp and even-paced finish. Another superb edition of this wine. Drink or hold."

Vinous scored the barrel sample 94-97 points saying "Rich and voluptuous on the palate, with no hard edges at all, the 2015 is a prototypical Hillside Select built on volume. Inky blue/purplish fruit, graphite and chocolate give the wine much of its flamboyant personality, but there is plenty of tannin lurking beneath the fruit as well. The 2015 is clearly going to need time to shed some of its baby fat, but it is hugely promising at this early stage and a fabulous wine by any measure."