2004 Shafer "Hillside Select" Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon (3L)

“A perfect score has to be considered in the context of its region. Shafer’s 2004 Hillside Select is tremendous as a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that competes with its peers at the highest levels. It’s always a fabulous wine, but in warm 2004, Shafer’s amphitheater vineyard sheltered the grapes, ripening them to perfection yet protecting the “iron fist in a velvet glove” structure that André Tchelistcheff defined as Stags Leap. This 100% Cabernet is tremendous in cassis, black currant and mocha flavors, and the 100% new French oak provides perfect additions of smoke and caramel.” (03/2009)

“Showing a bit of bricking at the rim, the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is a strong effort, although not perhaps the equal to the 1994 (also tasted on this occasion). Dried cherries and leather on the nose are joined by flavors of caramel, baked fruit and cherry compote on the full-bodied palate. Supple, silky and long, this wine should continue to drink well for a decade, but I see no compelling reason to wait. (JC)” (10/2024)

“Brilliantly pure, animated nose offers scents of redcurrant, spices, cedary cigar box and musky underbrush. Boasts outstanding thickness and depth of flavor and an uncanny balance of sweetness and acidity. At once bone-dry and incredibly plush, with the superconcentrated plum and redcurrant flavors complicated by sexy saline soil tones and a note of dark chocolate. Perhaps most impressive today on the suavely tannic, endless finish. (ST)” (07/2016)

“This remains a bold, opulent, fleshy style, with explosive layers of spice, blackberry, cedar and crushed rock, ending with firm, ripe tannins and touches of mocha. Tannins lock in the finish and hold the flavors in place. (JL)” (11/2014)