Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Very deep, vibrant purple-black colored, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select strides confidently out of the glass with expressive notions of blueberry preserves, Black Forest cake, cassis and cedar chest with touches of pencil lead, licorice, violets and sandalwood plus a an exotic waft of Indian spices. The rich, densely packed, full-bodied palate is at once thrillingly hedonic and perfectly poised, featuring a rock-solid frame of firm, exquisitely ripe tannins and tons of freshness, finishing epically long and with stunning opulence. Bravo! – WA100

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is a wine of extraordinary beauty. The purity of the flavors is simply striking, but what really stands out is the wine's mind-blowing balance and total sense of harmony. An exotic mélange of inky blue/purplish fruit, spice, new leather, lavender and licorice build as this sumptuous, dazzling Cabernet Sauvignon shows off its alluring personality. In a word: magnificent! - VAG100

Pure perfection, the prodigious 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select reveals an even deeper purple/blue hue as well as extraordinary notes of unsmoked tobacco, crushed rocks, graphite, crème de cassis, and blueberries. With a massive, full-bodied profile and a texture that builds incrementally on the palate, it has a stacked mid-palate, ultra-fine (yet lots of them) tannins, flawless balance, and a monster of a finish. It’s tight and closed at the moment, so hide bottles for a solid 7-8 years. It should age at a glacier pace. - JD100

Ripe, warm and alluring in feel, with a velvety texture, the core dripping with cassis, plum reduction and melted red licorice notes. The long finish moves slowly while maintaining definition, with subtle black tea and sage hints peeking in, adding range and intrigue. Should age nicely. Best from 2021 through 2038. 2,400 cases made.– WS95

From the ideal 2016 vintage comes a rich, profound expression of Hillside Select that is lifted, fresh, and vibrant. This Cabernet Sauvignon fills the glass with aromas of blackberry, cassis, currant, wet stone, chocolate, briar fruit, and all spice. In the momentous mouth, from a foundation of lush, dark fruit, there emerges juicy red plum, raspberry, black pepper, and touches of lavender and anise. The tannins are ripe and silky, ready for right-now drinking, while offering the promise of beautiful things to come with cellaring. The finish stays with you both in the mouth and in the memory for a long, long time. - Elias Fernandez-Winemaker's Notes