Shafer Napa Valley Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon 1997

96/100 - The 1997 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is a relatively evolved style for Hillside Select and seemingly more advanced than the older vintages, such as 1995 and 1994. Nevertheless, there is plenty to excite. It’s a big wine, dense purple in color with some lightening at the edge, plenty of crème de cassis fruit, lead pencil shavings, sweet vanilla and earth. It is very ripe, full-bodied, opulent and voluptuously textured. This is terrific stuff, hedonistic, showing secondary/tertiary nuances in the aromatics and essentially a full resolution of the tannin. This wine also seems to have come into its own and is clearly at its peak of flavor. Drink it over the next 10-15 years. (Rev. 2014) - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate

18.5/20 - This wine is a star. Real meaty nose reminiscent of aromatic Indian tea. Mouthfilling with a full spread of bitter chocolate flavours over the palate. Very, very long. Already approachable but with lots in reserve. Serious but fun – the best of Californian style. But at a price. - Jancis Robinson MW