This is a muscular wine with a velvety backdrop—classic for the vintage and appellation. Silky tannins glide across a foundation of turned earth, crushed rock, clove and tobacco. The wine is hugely structured and grand. Dark plum, cherry and mocha flavors round out the profile. Enjoy from 2028–2035. - VIRGINIE BOONE

This has a deliciously ripe and perfumed nose of blueberries, cloves, potpourri and gravel. It’s full-bodied with firm, chewy tannins and fresh acidity. Creamy and elegant with a driven, focused finish. Cooler and more refined at the end. Try from 2023.

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) might be the finest vintage to date. Dense purple-hued, with a thrilling nose of blue and black fruits as well as graphite and crushed stone, it's medium to full-bodied and has a wonderfully pure, elegant texture, ample underlying tannins, and a great finish. It shows the more focused, elegant, yet structured style of the vintage to a T.

Quite lush in feel, with creamy waves of plum sauce, melted black licorice, açaí berry reduction and sweet toast rolling through, laced with subtle alder and bay leaf notes and ending with a sanguine hint amid the fruit. The buried structure will carry this in the cellar as well. Drink now through 2032. — J.M.

Composed of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Malbec, the deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five charges out of the gate with notes of crème de cassis, chocolate-covered cherries and blackberry pie plus suggestions of bay leaves, fertile loam and pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, the mouth is completely coated with juicy black fruit flavors, supported by plush tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing with an invigorating herbal lift.

Shafer's Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five is bright and punchy in 2018, with striking floral accents that give lift. In most vintages, the One Point Five is a bit more exuberant, but what impresses me about the 2018 is its finesse. Silky tannins wrap around a core of red/purplish berry fruit as the wine fleshes out over time. Best of all, the 2018 will drink well right out of the gate. -- Antonio Galloni

Always a full-bodied and broad-shouldered showing of the Stags Leap District. Creme de cassis, violets and dark roast coffee on the nose. Forward and ripe on the mid-palate before lightening up and exhibiting the elegant, lifted character that Cabernet shows off in this region. Fine-grained and mellow tannins on the finish.