Pure perfection in red wine, the 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is world-class in every way, and it’s such an incredible tasting experience. Still deep ruby/plum-hued, it offers a sensational array of darker currants, truffly earth, camphor, chocolate, and assorted spices to go with a full-bodied, lavish, opulently textured style on the palate. Drinking at point, with both fresh fruit as well as plenty of secondary nuances, it shows the heights Napa Valley Cabernet can hit. It has another two decades of prime drinking, and I suspect a gradual decline after that.

In contrast to the more linear, structured, but massive 2001, the 2002 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is pure fruit-bomb material, but stunningly proportioned, beautifully pure, with notes of melted chocolate, blackcurrant jam, sweet black cherries, licorice, camphor and charcoal. Very full-bodied, like the 2001, but much more lavishly fruited, it is more accessible and hedonistically, as well as intellectually, satisfying. If the 2001 is the long-distance runner, this comes across more like a middle-distancer. It had performed fabulously well since it was released by the winery, and even though it’s still an adolescent in terms of its evolution, this wine is a head-turner in wine tastings, and a spectacular effort from Napa. Drink now or drink in 20-25 years. - Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is outrageously beautiful. Dark, potent and explosive, the 2002 is simply tremendous. It captures all the best this vintage had to offer. Dense dark red/purplish fruit, rose petal, spice and sweet French oak abound. The 2002 is naturally a wine of its era, but tasting the Hillside 20 years later reveals it was not as pushed as many other wines were in this period. Red cherry jam, mocha, espresso and licorice build into the sumptuous finish. -- Antonio Galloni

The impression is of a young tannicly closed but enormously promising Cabernet. Floods the mouth with dramatic black currant cherry and chocolate flavors masses of toasty caramelized new oak and a rich minerally earthiness. For all the power there's elegance and refinement.

A delicious Cabernet perfectly ripened with perfumed currant cassis plum and blackberry. Tight persistent and concentrated this is sharply focused and displays the kind of structure that bodes well for short to midrange cellaring. Impeccable balance with a long finish. Best from 2007 through 2014. 2500 cases made. (JL)