Descripción

Hillside Select es un tinto que cada año consigue impresionar a la crítica y procede de viñedos cuidadosamente seleccionados de Stags Leap. Expresa los aromas de fruta negra y la textura aterciopelada que caracterizan a la Cabernet sauvignon. Sus taninos estructurados prometen una larga evolución en botella.

Ficha técnica

La bodega
Shafer Vineyards
Tipo
Tinto
Añada
2019
Grado
15.5% vol.
Variedad
100% Cabernet sauvignon
Origen
Napa Valley

Cata

Nariz
Aromas de mora, cereza negra, tierra cálida y especias horneadas.
Boca
Los sabores se hacen eco de los aromas del vino, añadiendo jugosas capas de fruta de zarza de verano, compota de bayas, canela, ciruelas rojas y negras vivas y moca con un final largo y radiante.

Viñedo y elaboración

Envejecimiento
Crianza de 32 meses en barricas nuevas de roble francés.

Opinión de los críticos

Jeb Dunnuck:

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is another magical vintage for this cuvée. All Cabernet Sauvignon from hillside vineyards on the eastern side of Stags Leap, it offers a vivid purple hue as well as extraordinary notes of cassis, black raspberries, violets, camphor, and spring flowers, with perfectly integrated background oak. Full-bodied but not massive, it’s flawlessly balanced on the palate and has ultra-fine tannins, a seamless, elegant mouthfeel, and a great, great finish. It’s another 30- to 40-year wine from this incredible team that readers will absolutely love.

James Suckling:

A beautiful nose of pitted cherries, redcurrants, fresh herbs and violets. Full-bodied with fine, structured tannins. More gravelly, mineral and dark than the nose lets on. Savory almost. Terrific depth and concentration that keeps the palate flavorful through the generous finish. Chocolate, sage, rosemary, bark and moss. Layered. Superb wine. Needs time to come together. Best after 2024 and onward.

 

The Wine Advocate:

Sourced from specific blocks of estate-grown fruit, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is another highly successful vintage. All Cabernet Sauvignon aged 32 months in 100% new French oak, it boasts intense aromas of pencil shavings, dark loam, cassis and plum on the nose, while the palate is full-bodied, super-ripe, rich, dense and concentrated—a truly impressive California vin de garde. Tannic but ripe, it finishes long and firm on the finish, adding a hint of mocha. To be released in September 2023, it's a strong showing and hopefully an indication that quality will remain high under the new ownership.

Wine Enthusiast:

This broad, rich and mouthfilling wine is Shafer's most elite and collectible. Aged for 32 months in all-new French oak barrels, it boasts extra-ripe blackberries and blueberries, accents of mint, cedar and graphite, and a big structure of polished tannins. Tempting to drink soon for its indulgent flavors, the wine should be best from 2027–2037.