1996 Shafer Hillside Select

WINE TALK
1

1996 Shafer Hillside Select, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District, alc 14.3%, $110: Purchased at release…Decanted for 2 hrs in the Rojaus…Served in Spieglau Vino Grande Burgundy glasses…Still very dark and slightly murky in color…on the nose… the fruit just jumps out of the glass…blackberry, cherry, and a slight earthiness and a whiff of wood….initially the palate is slightly sour but this quickly is replaced by a multitude of sweet dark black fruit flavors…it is big and even “chewy” with excellent structure and impeccable balance….no overt oakiness of any kind…the finish goes on in a crescendo manner for over a minute…really drinking excellently now with at least a decade of continued good drinking (? If will get better, however)…
This rivals an experience with the ’91 Hillside Select a couple of years ago…

Served with rare standing rib roast with rosemary au jus, creamy mashed potatoes and vegetables

2

This was the wine I most blame for getting me into this whole thing. Great note, hope to come across another someday - glad to hear they are still trucking along.

3

Great notes Steve, it makes me want to crack some of mine. [thumbs-up.gif]

4

Beautiful wine which I have been fortunate to try twice. This note is on the less impressive showing. Shafer HSS from the 90’s are all generally pretty amazing.

  • 1996 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select - USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District (4/6/2006)
    Dinner at Union (Seattle, WA): I had this last month, and it was 98-99 point juice. However, this bottle, while extremely impressive, was FAR more reticent. Lots of vitamin pill, mineral anf brett come out to the party, but the fruit and mid-palate never quite explode like the last bottle. This is certainly lovely but far from a revelation. (94 pts.)

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5

HSS has always been a favorite over the years.

Your tasting note can substitute mine for the 92 HSS I had a few weeks ago that was absolutely stunning.

Great wine, thanks for your note on the 96 !