Wednesday, November 16th, 2022
Shafer Earns a Top 100 Wine of 2022
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Dear Friends,
Shafer Vineyards' greatest Hillside Select vintage to date was just announced as James Suckling's #66 Top 100 Wines of 2022 this morning. But, we already knew it was great:
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We have 14 bottles left of this stunning cult classic—one that's always remained at a relatively fair price for the past two decades.
You might question the relatively fair price statement, but think about when did the other Napa Cults jump to $600-$3,000+ per bottle? Certainly not this year, or even recently.
Many will argue that Hillside Select is just as good, if not better than the other players.
We also have a little stock left of Shafer's other epic releases:
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2018 Shafer
"Relentless" Syrah
20th Anniversary
$89.97 btl
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2019 Shafer
TD-9 Cab Blend
Napa Valley
$59.97 btl
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2018 Shafer Vineyards
20th Anniversary Release
"Hillside Select" Cabernet Sauvignon
Stags Leap District
100 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
“Incredible purity and precision, as well as opulence, define the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select, and this is as good as any Cabernet Sauvignon in the world today. Revealing a deep purple hue as well as a thrilling bouquet of pure crème de cassis, black raspberries, spring flowers, lead pencil shavings, and an incredible minerality, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a deep, layered, seamless texture, ample mid-palate depth, and a great finish. This is classic 2018 Napa Valley with its purity, freshness and precision as well as sensational concentration and perfectly integrated acidity, tannins, and alcohol. It delivers pleasure today yet warrants a solid 4-5 years of bottle age and is going to be a 30- to 40-year wine.” (1/22)
99 Points, #66 Top 100 of 2022 - James Suckling:
"So much black licorice in this, together with tar, blackcurrants, blackberries and slate. Full-bodied, but very toned and focused, with polish and energy. Extremely fine tannins and wonderful length. All about balance and purity. Gorgeous now, but this will age for decades to come. Great finish. Better after 2026." (Jan 2022)
98+ Points - Robert Parker's WA:
"Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select displays a deep garnet-purple color. It charges out of the gate with bold crème de cassis, blueberry pie and black cherry preserves notes, plus hints of smoked meats, fragrant earth and tar, with a fragrant waft of violets and Provence herbs. Full-bodied, the palate is packed with muscular black fruits, supported by a solid foundation of firm, grainy tannins and compelling freshness, finishing long with an enticing herbal lift." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Jan 2021)
98 Points - Vinous:
"Just as it was from barrel, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is stunning. Bright acids give the 2018 tons of energy. This is an especially mid-weight, refined Hillside Select that is all class. Dark blue/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, mint and blood orange build in the glass. Elegant and bright, the 2018 shows all the energy of the year in spades. (Drink between 2026-2043)" - Antonio Galloni (Jan 2022)
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Only 14 bottles left
Elsewhere: $390.00
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2019 Shafer Vineyards
"TD-9" Cab Blend
Napa Valley
94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"An incredible value, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon TD-9 includes slightly more Merlot and is 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 11% Malbec and the rest Petit Verdot. Round, sexy, full-bodied, and opulent, it has terrific aromatics of red and black currants, tobacco, chocolate, and lead pencil shavings. Drink this hedonistic yet balanced, elegant beauty over the coming 10-12 years."
93 Points - James Suckling:
"Aromas of blackberries with old spice, dark cherries and cloves, following through to a medium to full body with a solid core of ripe fruit and a creamy and stony underlying character. Juicy and rich, yet not overbearing. Cabernet sauvignon, merlot, malbec and petit verdot. Drinkable now, but better in 2025."
92 Points - Vinous:
"The 2019 TD-9 is silky, aromatic and perfumed. Crushed flowers, red berry fruit, spice and rose petal all show a move towards more Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. Forward and open-knit, the 2019 is an absolute pleasure to taste. Best of all, the 2019 will drink well right out of the gate. (Drink 2022-2029)"
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Online Average: $65.00 btl
Winery: $65.00 btl
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Normally: $64.97 btl
Today: $59.97 btl
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2018 Shafer Vineyards
20th Anniversary Release
"Relentless" Syrah
96-98 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"A blend of 94% Syrah and 6% Petite Sirah, the 2018 Relentless looks to be just about sensational, offering a dense purple color as well as rich, loaded notes of blackberries, currants, smoked meats, peppery spice, and violets. Reminding me of a great Cornas on steroids with its gamy, exotic character paired with beautiful richness, it has fabulous purity, ripe, polished tannins, and a great finish. This will undoubtedly be a great vintage for this cuvée, and my money is on it being one of the best yet." (1/27/2021)
97 Points - James Suckling:
"A young wine with superb depth and polish that shows great depth and brightness. Full and focused with blue fruit and long, fine tannins that are compact and energetic. Slate. Graphite. Sophisticated and curated. So beautiful to try now, but be patient and open after 2026." (4/28/22)
95 Points - Vinous:
"The 2018 Relentless is silky and polished. In 2018 the blend includes a relatively high percentage of Petit Syrah, but the wine does not taste like that at all. Ripe red/purplish berry fruit, lavender, rose petal, black pepper and sweet spice are laced into the super-expressive finish. This might be the most refined Relentless ever." - Antonio Galloni (Jan 2022)
94 Points - Wine Spectator:
"A compelling blend that marries deep structure with richness and polish. Features accents of black cherry, grilled anise and smoked pepper, with refined tannins on the finish."
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- 36 bottles arrive this Friday
Online Average: $100.00 btl
Elsewhere: $95.00 btl
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