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Shafer Vineyards

Located in the Stags Leap district of Napa Valley, Shafer Vineyards is one of the valley’s most enduring success stories. Founded in 1972 by John Shafer – who left a corporate life in Chicago to grow grapes in Napa Valley – the winery was run by John with help from his son Doug for many years. The winery’s first Cabernet Sauvignons were made in 1978, and in 1994 Doug Shafer took over as president. Elias Fernandez, now one of the valley’s most admired winemakers, joined Shafer as an assistant winemaker in 1984 and became head winemaker 10 years later. The partnership between the Shafers and Fernandez is one of the oldest in the valley, and is generally thought to be one of the keys to Shafer’s success. Today the winery produces 32,000 cases of wine from its 54 acres of vineyards. Shafer Hillside Select is the signature Cab, though the company also makes Merlot and Syrah.

1995 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon

Bottle signed by winemaker, Elias Fernandez

RP  99   
ST  93+    

1995 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon

Base neck fill

RP  99   
ST  93+    

1996 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon

Light capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; light label condition issue

RP  98   
WS  93   
ST  93   

1997 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon

Light capsule condition issue; depressed cork

RP  99   
WE  96   
ST  95   
WS  91   

2001 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon

Lightly depressed cork

RP  100   
WS  95   
ST  95+    

2001 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon

RP  100   
WS  95   
ST  95+    

2001 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon

1.5ltr

Signs of past seepage

RP  100   
WS  95   
ST  95+    

2002 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon

Light label condition issue

RP  100   
WS  97   
ST  96   
JR  16   

2002 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon

1.5ltr

Lightly depressed cork

RP  100   
WS  97   
ST  96   
JR  16   

2005 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon

Lightly elevated cork; base neck fill

RP  97   
ST  94-97   
WS  92   

2005 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon

Lightly depressed cork

RP  97   
ST  94-97   
WS  92   

2009 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon

Lightly depressed cork

WA  98   
WE  97   
WS  96   
ST  94-96   

2010 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon

Lightly depressed cork

RP  100   
JS  98   
ST  96+    
WS  95   
JR  15   

2010 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon

RP  100   
JS  98   
ST  96+    
WS  95   
JR  15   

2013 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon

Lightly depressed cork

RP  98+    
JD  98   
VN  97+    
WS  94   

2013 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon

Light capsule condition issue

RP  98+    
JD  98   
VN  97+    
WS  94   

2013 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon

Light label condition issue

RP  98+    
JD  98   
VN  97+    
WS  94   

2013 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon

Label condition issue

RP  98+    
JD  98   
VN  97+    
WS  94   

2013 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon

1.5ltr

Light capsule condition issue; light label condition issue

RP  98+    
JD  98   
VN  97+    
WS  94   

2015 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon

Light label condition issue

WA  98+    
JS  98   
VN  95+    
CT  94.6   

2015 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon

WA  98+    
JS  98   
VN  95+    
CT  94.6   

2016 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon

WA  100   
VN  100   
JD  100   
CT  96   
WS  95   

2017 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon

Light label condition issue

WA  98+    
JS  98   
JD  98   
VN  97   
JR  18   

2004 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon

6-bottle Lot, Wood Case

Light case condition issue

WE  100   
RP  99   
WS  94   
ST  91-94   

2007 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon

6-bottle Lot, Wood Case

WA  100   
ST  96   
WS  92