2019 Shafer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select

The 2019 Shafer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is one of Napa Valley’s benchmark wines, a powerful yet polished expression of Stags Leap District Cabernet. Sourced exclusively from Shafer’s rugged estate hillside vineyards, this wine captures the depth, structure, and elegance that have made Hillside Select a modern classic. Since its debut in the 1980s, it has consistently ranked among the most sought-after American Cabernets, renowned for both pedigree and longevity.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2019 Hillside Select shows an opaque, saturated ruby-purple hue that hints at its concentration and youth. The nose opens with layered aromatics of blackcurrant, ripe blackberry, and black cherry, supported by notes of graphite, dark chocolate, espresso, and warm baking spices from lavish yet integrated French oak. Subtle hints of violet, dried herbs, and cedar add complexity as it evolves in the glass. On the palate, this is full-bodied and richly textured, with a core of pure, dark fruit framed by fine-grained, velvety tannins. Flavors of cassis, plum, and black cherry are interwoven with cocoa nib, licorice, tobacco leaf, and a touch of smoky mineral. The structure is powerful but impeccably balanced, carried by fresh acidity and finishing with impressive length and clarity. While already compelling in its youth after a good decant, the 2019 Hillside Select is built for the long haul and has the potential to evolve beautifully for 20+ years in a proper cellar.

Production
The 2019 Hillside Select is crafted from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grown on Shafer’s estate hillside vineyards in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley. These steep, rocky slopes of volcanic and sedimentary soils naturally limit yields, concentrating flavor and providing excellent drainage, while the warm days and cool evenings typical of Napa’s benchlands help preserve acidity and aromatic intensity. Grapes are hand-harvested at optimal ripeness, sorted meticulously, and fermented in small lots to respect the character of each parcel. After fermentation and extended maceration to extract color, flavor, and tannin, the wine is aged for an extended period in new French oak barrels, allowing it to gain depth, polish, and aromatic complexity before being bottled and released only when Shafer deems it ready.

Food & Serving
This is a commanding Cabernet that shines alongside richly flavored dishes. Think grilled or pan-seared ribeye, herb-crusted rack of lamb, slow-braised short ribs, or game meats such as venison. It also pairs beautifully with truffle-infused dishes, mushroom ragù, and aged hard cheeses like Comté or mature cheddar. For optimal enjoyment, serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F). Decanting is highly recommended—give the 2019 at least 1–2 hours in a decanter in its youth, and even longer if you prefer fully unfurled aromatics and a softer, more integrated palate.

Producer
Shafer Vineyards is a family-owned estate in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley, widely regarded as one of the leading producers of Cabernet Sauvignon in the United States. Founded in the 1970s by John Shafer, the winery quickly gained acclaim for its hillside plantings and its focus on quality over quantity. Hillside Select, first released from the 1983 vintage, became Shafer’s flagship wine and helped define the global reputation of Napa Valley for world-class Cabernet. Over the decades, Shafer has garnered numerous high scores and critical accolades, including multiple 100-point ratings, and remains a reference point for powerful yet refined Napa Cabernet rooted firmly in its hillside terroir.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.