2021 Shafer 'Hillside Select' Cabernet Sauvignon

Aromas of crème de cassis, black cherry, and violet integrate with savory notes of anise, dark chocolate, and a hint of iron. The palate is full-bodied and exceptionally opulent, featuring a seamless core of ripe black fruit and a dense, velvety texture. It displays massive yet refined tannins and a lifting acidity that leads to an incredibly long finish marked by sweet spice and a distinct mineral tension.

Winemaker Elias Fernandez utilizes 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the estate’s most rugged vineyard blocks. In the cellar, the fruit is fermented in stainless steel tanks with extended skin contact to achieve maximum color and structural extraction. The wine matures for thirty-two months in 100% new French oak barrels. This unusually long aging period allows the powerful mountain tannins to fully integrate with the concentrated fruit, resulting in a wine of immense scale that remains remarkably polished and balanced.

The fruit is grown in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley on the steep, rocky hillsides surrounding the winery. The site is defined by its volcanic soils and amphitheater-like topography, which traps heat during the day while receiving cool evening breezes. These thin, well-drained soils force the vines to produce small, intensely flavored berries with thick skins. This specific terroir is famous for producing wines with a "velvet glove" character—combining the structural power of mountain fruit with the supple, elegant tannins unique to the Stags Leap District.