Shafer 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Hillside Select, Stags Leap District

One of Napa Valley's most sought-after wines, This the 40th anniversary release. 2018 marks the 40th vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon produced on the Shafer estate. The 2018 Hillside Select decisively earns its place in a long line of elegant, opulent Cabernet Sauvignons from this historic hillside site.

This 2018 is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from estate vineyards,  aged 32 months in 100% new 60-gallon French oak barrels (Allier and Tronçais).

Jeb Dunnuck scored this 100 points saying "Incredible purity and precision, as well as opulence, define the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select, and this is as good as any Cabernet Sauvignon in the world today. Revealing a deep purple hue as well as a thrilling bouquet of pure crème de cassis, black raspberries, spring flowers, lead pencil shavings, and an incredible minerality, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a deep, layered, seamless texture, ample mid-palate depth, and a great finish. This is classic 2018 Napa Valley with its purity, freshness and precision as well as sensational concentration and perfectly integrated acidity, tannins, and alcohol. It delivers pleasure today yet warrants a solid 4-5 years of bottle age and is going to be a 30- to 40-year wine."

James Suckling scored this 99 points saying "So much black licorice in this, together with tar, blackcurrants, blackberries and slate. Full-bodied, but very toned and focused, with polish and energy. Extremely fine tannins and wonderful length. All about balance and purity. Gorgeous now, but this will age for decades to come. Great finish. Better after 2026."

The Wine Advocate scored this 98+ points saying "Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select displays a deep garnet-purple color. It charges out of the gate with bold crème de cassis, blueberry pie and black cherry preserves notes, plus hints of smoked meats, fragrant earth and tar, with a fragrant waft of violets and Provence herbs. Full-bodied, the palate is packed with muscular black fruits, supported by a solid foundation of firm, grainy tannins and compelling freshness, finishing long with an enticing herbal lift."