1997 Shafer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select

Cabernet Sauvignon - 750ML
Reg: $425.00
$384.00
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REVIEWS

WA 96 WE 96 JR 95
WA 96

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, December 2014

The 1997 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is a relatively evolved style for Hillside Select and seemingly more advanced than the older vintages, such as 1995 and 1994. Nevertheless, there is plenty to excite...
WE 96

Wine Enthusiast, December 2001

Fabulous. Dominated now by oak from the smoky charry aroma to the sappy sweet flavor. If you chew on it you find absolutely brilliant blackberry fruit ripe and pure. Breathtaking structure with near perfect creamy tannins...
JR 95

Jancis Robinson's Purple Pages, June 2003

(18.5/20) Deep crimson, with some evolution at the rim. Cassis. Supple. Sweet. Explosive. Big, round, supple, and velvety.

WINE DETAILS

Color & Type Red
Varietal Cabernet Sauvignon
Country USA
Region California
Sub-region North Coast
Appellation Napa
Sub-appellation Stag's Leap District
Vintage 1997
Size 750ML
Percent alcohol 14.5%
Closure Cork

Shafer Vineyards is a family-owned and operated winery located in the Stags Leap District of the Napa Valley. It was founded in 1972 by John Shafer who left a 23-year career in the publishing industry to pursue a second career in wine. After purchasing a 210-acre estate, the family faced the arduous task of replanting the existing vineyards which dated back to the 1920s.

Evolving from grape growers to vintners, the Shafers crushed their first Cabernet grapes in 1978 and began construction on their winery a year later. The first Shafer Cabernet became a benchmark, winning the acclaimed San Francisco Vintners Club taste-off upon release and, over a decade later taking first place in an international blind tasting held in Germany, where it outranked such wines as Chateau Margaux, Chateau Latour and Chateau Palmer.

Doug Shafer became winemaker in 1983 after graduating from the University of California at Davis with a degree in enology and viticulture. A year later, Elias Fernandez joined the winery as assistant winemaker. Together Doug and Elias have worked closely to forge the Shafer style of quality, consistency and elegance.

New vineyards have been added over the years, with acreage acquired in the Oak Knoll, Stags Leap and Carneros districts, bringing the total Shafer vineyard acreage to over 200 acres. Winery facilities have been expanded and extensive caves carved into the hillside for aging wine.

In 1994, Elias was appointed winemaker, and Doug took over the reins as president when John became chairman of the board.