California
California is one of the most renowned wine regions in the world, known for producing exceptional wines that reflect the unique character of the region.
One of the most famous vineyards in California is the Napa Valley's Robert Mondavi Winery, which produces a range of high-quality red and white wines, including the Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, the Fumé Blanc Reserve, and the Chardonnay Reserve. The estate is committed to sustainable farming practices and is known for its focus on traditional winemaking techniques.
In California, there is also a strong focus on producing organic and biodynamic wines, with vineyards such as the Frog's Leap Winery and the Benziger Family Winery using these practices to produce exceptional wines that reflect the unique terroir of the region.
Overall, California is a region known for producing exceptional wines, with famous vineyards such as Harlan Estate, Dominus, Opus One, Screaming Eagle, Robert Mondavi and many others. With a focus on sustainable and organic farming practices, and a commitment to traditional winemaking techniques, wines from California are gaining increasing recognition and popularity among wine enthusiasts worldwide.
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Inc. TAX€6,607.79 -
Vinous (94)
A dark, voluptuous beauty, the 2011 Second Flight is laced with plum, grilled herbs, tobacco, smoke, violets and graphite. The style is cool, savory and precise, perhaps with a bit less body than normal, but with plenty of energy, finesse and balance. Simply put, this is a magnificent showing.Inc. TAX€4,624.34 -
Vinous (94+)
The 2012 Second Flight kicks things up a notch. Dense, layered and voluptuous in the glass, the Second Flight impresses for its breadth and volume. Although only recently bottled, the 2012 nevertheless shows superb depth and tons of pure personality.Inc. TAX€5,270.69 -
Vinous (95)
The 2013 Second Flight is dark, powerful and incisive, with layers of graphite-infused minerality that are pushed forward. This is perhaps the most intense, brooding Second Flight I have tasted so far. Unctuous and deep to the core, the 2013 possesses magnificent concentration to match its spherical texture. Lavender, rose petal, mint and a host of savory notes wrap around the deep, somber finish. What a gorgeous wine the 2013 is shaping up to be. This is a total knock-out from the team at Screaming Eagle.Inc. TAX€5,882.69 -
Vinous (94)
The 2014 Second Flight bristles with all the energy and tension that is such a signature of the vintage. Dark flavors abound, with plenty of black cherry, mocha, espresso and graphite overtones layered throughout. The 2014 is an especially muscular, brooding Second Flight. Accordingly, it is likely to require at least a few years to come into its own. The juiciness of the Merlot gives the wine its center of fruit and overall palate feel, but the Second Flight is also quite closed down today, most likely because of its recent bottling. Tasted alongside the flagship Screaming Eagle, Second Flight seems more affected by the bottling, but that is not all that unusual for Merlot-based wines, especially in this vintage.Inc. TAX€5,236.34 -
James Suckling (98)
This is very tight grained and beautifully balanced with violets, crushed stones and a brambleberry character. Extremely aromatic and perfumed. Medium to full body with a compressed mouthfeel of wonderfully fine and fresh tannins. A fantastic merlot-based red for the vintage. Structured yet so balanced. Beautiful now but better in 2021.Inc. TAX€2,504.17 -
James Suckling (99)
This is the best Flight I have ever had with so much merlot character coming through with black olives, hazelnuts, brown sugar and blackberries, as well as violets. Full-bodied yet linear and very long. Extremely refined and fresh. Needs a few years to come completely together, but already so refined.Inc. TAX€2,347.98 -
James Suckling (100)
This is an incredible wine with such depth and energy and ethereal, mind-blowing sensibility. It sent shivers down my spine tasting it. It just shines on the nose, like bright sunlight breaking through a dark sky. Aromas of raspberries, citrus, violets and dark earth. Full-bodied with extremely fine tannins that go vertical and endless, from top to bottom. A monument for merlot-based wines. Drinkable now, but needs six to eight years to come around.Inc. TAX€2,702.08 -
James Suckling (99)
Extremely floral and aromatic with violets and lavender throughout. Black olives, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, very fine-grained tannins that run the length of the wine. Goes on for minutes. A greenish undertone comes out at the end with some spearmint, green tea and green olive. About two-thirds merlot. Best after 2028, but already stunning.Inc. TAX€2,701.98 -
Wine Advocate (96)
Screaming Eagle's 2021 The Flight seems darker and more concentrated than the 2023, with mixed red and black cherries framed by tannins that are firm yet not lacking ripeness. It's medium- to full-bodied, with an expansive mouthfeel that remains balanced and impressively focused on the long, lingering finish. It's mostly Merlot, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc making up the balance.Inc. TAX€3,019.98 -
Vinous (93+)
The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is striking. Silky, nuanced and exceptionally polished, the 2012 possesses notable purity, with gorgeous aromatics and notable energy. Hints of anise, savory herbs, iron, smoke and tobacco develop in the glass, but the flavors remain quite primary. This is a rare 2012 that is going to need time to fully come together. A dollop of Petit Verdot rounds out the blend. Today, the Estate is not as exuberant as it was last year, most likely the result of its recent bottling.Inc. TAX€2,824.54 -
The Seghesio Cortina Zinfandel 2019 epitomises the exquisite craftsmanship of Seghesio Family Vineyards, nestled in the renowned Napa Valley. Crafted exclusively from estate-grown Zinfandel grapes in the Cortina vineyard, this vintage showcases a deep ruby hue with intense aromas of blackberry, spice, and hints of vanilla. Hand-harvested and meticulously selected, the grapes undergo fermentation in open-top stainless steel tanks, followed by ageing in a combination of French and American oak barrels to impart complexity and structure. The 2019 vintage benefits from optimal growing conditions, resulting in a well-balanced wine with robust tannins and a lingering finish. Perfectly embodying the rich heritage and dedication of the Seghesio family, the Cortina Zinfandel 2019 offers a sophisticated palate experience, ideal for discerning connoisseurs seeking exceptional quality and character.
Inc. TAX€405.34 -
(12x75cl) 2021Jeb Dunnuck (92)
An opaque ruby red, the 2021 Zinfandel Home Ranch has more depth, with licorice, black plum and purple flowers. Full-bodied, with blackberry, lavender, and baked earth, this is a highly attractive and juicy wine to drink over the next several years.Inc. TAX€938.53 -
(6x75cl) 2022Discover the exquisite Seghesio Old Vines Zinfandel 2022, a testament to Sonoma County’s rich viticultural heritage. Crafted by the esteemed Seghesio family, this wine originates from meticulously tended old vine vineyards, some over a century old, nestled in the Dry Creek Valley. Hand-harvested and carefully fermented using traditional methods, the 2022 vintage showcases the depth and complexity characteristic of Seghesio’s craftsmanship. Aromas of ripe blackberries, plums, and subtle spice intertwine with hints of vanilla from oak aging. On the palate, it delivers a robust yet balanced profile with velvety tannins and a lingering finish, embodying the vibrant terroir of Northern California. This Zinfandel offers exceptional structure and elegance, making it a perfect pairing for hearty dishes or a refined solo indulgence. Elevate your collection with Seghesio Old Vines Zinfandel 2022, a distinguished expression of fine Californian winemaking.
Inc. TAX€398.47 -
(12x37.5cl) 2022Seghesio Rockpile Zinfandel 2022 exemplifies the meticulous craftsmanship of Lorenz Seghesio, a renowned family-owned estate nestled in Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley. Harvested from old-vine Zinfandel vineyards, each grape is hand-selected to ensure peak ripeness and quality. Fermented in traditional stainless steel tanks to preserve the varietal’s vibrant fruit character, the wine undergoes ageing in French oak barrels, imparting subtle spice and complexity. The 2022 vintage displays a deep ruby hue, with enticing aromas of blackberry, plum, and hints of pepper and vanilla. On the palate, it offers a harmonious balance of robust tannins and lively acidity, culminating in a long, elegant finish. Perfectly paired with hearty dishes or savoured on its own, Seghesio Rockpile Zinfandel 2022 stands as a testament to the estate’s enduring dedication to excellence and the rich terroir of Dry Creek Valley.
Inc. TAX€324.89 -
Inc. TAX€639.89 -
(12x75cl) 2022James Suckling (96)
A vibrant, agile and poised Chardonnay with aromas of pears, apples, sweet spices, jasmine and hints of stones. It’s medium- to full-bodied with precise definition on the palate. Fresh acidity and crunchy fruity at the center and a velvety touch to the edge, bringing volume and a voluptuous character throughout. Lively and long finish. Drink or hold.Inc. TAX€743.09 -
Wine Advocate (100)
The 2001 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is the first of these back-to-back perfect wines from Shafer that, at age 13, is still a baby, but, wow, what an amazing wine. A fabulous growing season produced a wine with inky/purple black color, stunning crème de cassis notes, with additional hints of lead pencil shavings, spring flowers, cedar wood and forest floor. It is full-bodied, sensationally concentrated, with a seamless integration of acidity, tannin, wood and alcohol. This is a great, monumental Napa Cabernet Sauvignon that is still an infant, at age 13, going on 14. This has got at least three decades of life left in it, and probably won’t hit its peak for another 5-7 years.Inc. TAX€3,460.34 -
(6x75cl) 2002
Vinous (94+)
(14.9% alcohol): Good dark red. Perfumed, liqueur-like aromas of black plum, dark berries, licorice and cocoa powder. Dense, thick and very ripe but still a bit youthfully brooding; shows the darkest fruit character to this point in the tasting. This extremely dense, thick, youthfully brooding Cabernet finishes with serious ripe tannins and good medicinal reserve. If the 2001 is claret-like in the context of this bottling, then the 2002 is classic liqueur-like Napa Cabernet, even if it's in a bit of a shell today. Less detailed today than the 2001 but I'd love to try these wines side by side again in six or seven years.Inc. TAX€3,690.78 -
Wine Enthusiast (100)
A perfect score has to be considered in the context of its region. Shafer's 2004 Hillside Select is tremendous as a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that competes with its peers at the highest levels. It's always a fabulous wine, but in warm 2004, Shafer's amphitheater vineyard sheltered the grapes, ripening them to perfection yet protecting the "iron fist in a velvet glove" structure that André Tchelistcheff defined as Stags Leap. This 100% Cabernet is tremendous in cassis, black currant and mocha flavors, and the 100% new French oak provides perfect additions of smoke and caramel. It's soft and gorgeous enough to drink now, and should age well in a cool cellar for the next 20 years.Inc. TAX€2,722.34 -
Wine Advocate (99)
One of the world’s great wines and profound expressions of Cabernet Sauvignon, is the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select. This wine spends more than 30 months in 100% new oak, and, year in year out, has been one of the most singular and profound examples of Cabernet Sauvignon in the world. It seems Shafer began to ratchet up performance during the 1990s, and the first decade of the 21st century has provided a treasure trove of either perfect or nearly perfect wines, including the 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007 and more recently the 2010, 2012 and, in all likelihood, the 2013. The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select (about 2,000 cases produced) is another one of those “wow” wines, but it does it with a sort of measured richness and restraint and extraordinary subtle character, like the Gary Cooper of Napa Cabernet Sauvignons – authentic, tall, straight-boned, but substantial and worthy of introspection. Inky purple, with a classic nose of creme de cassis, licorice, a touch of vanilla and forest floor, the wine hits the palate with a gorgeous display of measured, but substantial fruit, body and intensity. Not a component is out of place, and the wine remarkably pure and persuasive. Combine great winemaking with great viticulture and a special terroir, and this is the result. Readers are in the presence of genius when tasting this wine.Inc. TAX€2,842.38 -
Wine Advocate (100)
Deep purple-black colored, the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select exudes beautiful notions of violets, dark chocolate, black olives, spice cake and cedar chest with a core of crème de cassis, blackberry pie, plum preserves and fragrant earth plus a waft of unsmoked cigars. Full-bodied, super concentrated and jam-packed with multilayered black and blue fruits, it has a rock-solid frame of grainy tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing long with tons of exotic spice and savory sparks.Inc. TAX€3,280.54 -
(6x75cl) 2010
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
In comparison to the more lavish, sexy 2002, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is more structured and focused, with incredible purity in its cassis and darker currant fruits as well as complex notes of minty herbs, lead pencil shavings, licorice, graphite, and spring flowers. Reminding me of a great vintage of Château Mouton Rothschild with its concentration, structure, and balance, it’s just now at the early stages of its prime drink window, and it will continue to improve for another decade and hold for 20-25 years thereafter.Inc. TAX€3,105.08 -
(6x75cl) 2011
Wine Advocate (96)
Possibly the Cabernet Sauvignon of the vintage is Shafer’s 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select. Last year I thought it was a strong effort, but it’s even better now that it’s been bottled. With an opaque black/purple color and notes of subtle burning charcoal embers, blueberry, blackberry and graphite, the wine has a certain Bordelais minerality, but then the richness of Napa kicks in. It’s full-bodied (somewhat unusual for a 2011) with lighter tannins, and no doubt the wine will be on a faster evolutionary track than vintages such as 2010, 2012 and 2013. Nevertheless, the Shafers and Elias said this was the toughest vintage they’d ever experienced. To be able to produce a compelling wine like this is a testament to their extraordinary skills and craftsmanship. This wine can be drunk now or cellared for another 15-20 years.Inc. TAX€1,695.76 -
Wine Advocate (100)
Shafer’s flagship wine, and one of the world’s greatest Cabernet Sauvignons, is the Hillside Select, which comes from the rocky, volcanic soils on hillsides above the winery. Vineyard production is small, and the wine an incredible example of Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in 100% new oak for 32 months and bottled unfiltered, this can generally be expected to be one of the top dozen or so Cabernet Sauvignons in virtually any vintage in Napa, and certainly possesses 25 to possibly 50 years of aging potential. The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is a perfect wine. It elicits more than a few “wows” when you smell the incredible notes of charcoal, graphite and subtle toast, buttressed and dominated by blackcurrant, blackberry and blueberry fruit. The purity of these fruits, the multidimensional mouthfeel, the seamless integration of acid, alcohol, tannin and wood are all flawless. The 2012 signature adds an extravagant opulence and density that is just mind-boggling, and the wine is a total hedonistic and intellectual turn-on already, although it has 30+ years of life ahead of it.Inc. TAX€2,728.54 -
James Suckling (99)
Wonderful floral aromas with perfumed roses plus hints of blackcurrants and spearmint. Full-bodied and so powerful and muscular but always showing the brightness and beauty of fruit. Winemakers say this reminds them of the 1978, their first year. It certainly has the structure — "those tannins" as they put it. Finish is so impressive with tar, iron and spices. Available in September 2017. Try in 2023.Inc. TAX€1,749.76 -
(1x150cl) 2016Jeb Dunnuck (100)
Pure perfection, the prodigious 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select reveals an even deeper purple/blue hue as well as extraordinary notes of unsmoked tobacco, crushed rocks, graphite, crème de cassis, and blueberries. With a massive, full-bodied profile and a texture that builds incrementally on the palate, it has a stacked mid-palate, ultra-fine (yet lots of them) tannins, flawless balance, and a monster of a finish. It’s tight and closed at the moment, so hide bottles for a solid 7-8 years. It should age at a glacier pace.Inc. TAX€1,053.53 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
Pure perfection, the prodigious 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select reveals an even deeper purple/blue hue as well as extraordinary notes of unsmoked tobacco, crushed rocks, graphite, crème de cassis, and blueberries. With a massive, full-bodied profile and a texture that builds incrementally on the palate, it has a stacked mid-palate, ultra-fine (yet lots of them) tannins, flawless balance, and a monster of a finish. It’s tight and closed at the moment, so hide bottles for a solid 7-8 years. It should age at a glacier pace.Inc. TAX€2,861.48 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is another perfect wine, although readers will need to have patience, as it’s still a baby. Deep purple-hued with a perfumed, vibrant bouquet of blue fruits, graphite, spring flowers, and lead pencil, it’s full-bodied, sensationally concentrated, has perfectly integrated acidity, tannin, and alcohol, not a hard edge to be found, and an incredible finish. This monumental Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is 7-8 years away from maturity and will have 40-50 years of overall longevity.Inc. TAX€1,979.48 -
(6x150cl) 2019Wine Advocate (98+)
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.Inc. TAX€4,306.96
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In Bond€5,475.00
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Vinous (94)
A dark, voluptuous beauty, the 2011 Second Flight is laced with plum, grilled herbs, tobacco, smoke, violets and graphite. The style is cool, savory and precise, perhaps with a bit less body than normal, but with plenty of energy, finesse and balance. Simply put, this is a magnificent showing.In Bond€3,830.00 -
Vinous (94+)
The 2012 Second Flight kicks things up a notch. Dense, layered and voluptuous in the glass, the Second Flight impresses for its breadth and volume. Although only recently bottled, the 2012 nevertheless shows superb depth and tons of pure personality.In Bond€4,370.00 -
Vinous (95)
The 2013 Second Flight is dark, powerful and incisive, with layers of graphite-infused minerality that are pushed forward. This is perhaps the most intense, brooding Second Flight I have tasted so far. Unctuous and deep to the core, the 2013 possesses magnificent concentration to match its spherical texture. Lavender, rose petal, mint and a host of savory notes wrap around the deep, somber finish. What a gorgeous wine the 2013 is shaping up to be. This is a total knock-out from the team at Screaming Eagle.In Bond€4,880.00 -
Vinous (94)
The 2014 Second Flight bristles with all the energy and tension that is such a signature of the vintage. Dark flavors abound, with plenty of black cherry, mocha, espresso and graphite overtones layered throughout. The 2014 is an especially muscular, brooding Second Flight. Accordingly, it is likely to require at least a few years to come into its own. The juiciness of the Merlot gives the wine its center of fruit and overall palate feel, but the Second Flight is also quite closed down today, most likely because of its recent bottling. Tasted alongside the flagship Screaming Eagle, Second Flight seems more affected by the bottling, but that is not all that unusual for Merlot-based wines, especially in this vintage.In Bond€4,340.00 -
James Suckling (98)
This is very tight grained and beautifully balanced with violets, crushed stones and a brambleberry character. Extremely aromatic and perfumed. Medium to full body with a compressed mouthfeel of wonderfully fine and fresh tannins. A fantastic merlot-based red for the vintage. Structured yet so balanced. Beautiful now but better in 2021.In Bond€2,075.00 -
James Suckling (99)
This is the best Flight I have ever had with so much merlot character coming through with black olives, hazelnuts, brown sugar and blackberries, as well as violets. Full-bodied yet linear and very long. Extremely refined and fresh. Needs a few years to come completely together, but already so refined.In Bond€1,945.00 -
James Suckling (100)
This is an incredible wine with such depth and energy and ethereal, mind-blowing sensibility. It sent shivers down my spine tasting it. It just shines on the nose, like bright sunlight breaking through a dark sky. Aromas of raspberries, citrus, violets and dark earth. Full-bodied with extremely fine tannins that go vertical and endless, from top to bottom. A monument for merlot-based wines. Drinkable now, but needs six to eight years to come around.In Bond€2,240.00 -
James Suckling (99)
Extremely floral and aromatic with violets and lavender throughout. Black olives, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, very fine-grained tannins that run the length of the wine. Goes on for minutes. A greenish undertone comes out at the end with some spearmint, green tea and green olive. About two-thirds merlot. Best after 2028, but already stunning.In Bond€2,240.00 -
Wine Advocate (96)
Screaming Eagle's 2021 The Flight seems darker and more concentrated than the 2023, with mixed red and black cherries framed by tannins that are firm yet not lacking ripeness. It's medium- to full-bodied, with an expansive mouthfeel that remains balanced and impressively focused on the long, lingering finish. It's mostly Merlot, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc making up the balance.In Bond€2,505.00 -
Vinous (93+)
The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is striking. Silky, nuanced and exceptionally polished, the 2012 possesses notable purity, with gorgeous aromatics and notable energy. Hints of anise, savory herbs, iron, smoke and tobacco develop in the glass, but the flavors remain quite primary. This is a rare 2012 that is going to need time to fully come together. A dollop of Petit Verdot rounds out the blend. Today, the Estate is not as exuberant as it was last year, most likely the result of its recent bottling.In Bond€2,330.00 -
The Seghesio Cortina Zinfandel 2019 epitomises the exquisite craftsmanship of Seghesio Family Vineyards, nestled in the renowned Napa Valley. Crafted exclusively from estate-grown Zinfandel grapes in the Cortina vineyard, this vintage showcases a deep ruby hue with intense aromas of blackberry, spice, and hints of vanilla. Hand-harvested and meticulously selected, the grapes undergo fermentation in open-top stainless steel tanks, followed by ageing in a combination of French and American oak barrels to impart complexity and structure. The 2019 vintage benefits from optimal growing conditions, resulting in a well-balanced wine with robust tannins and a lingering finish. Perfectly embodying the rich heritage and dedication of the Seghesio family, the Cortina Zinfandel 2019 offers a sophisticated palate experience, ideal for discerning connoisseurs seeking exceptional quality and character.
In Bond€314.00 -
(12x75cl) 2021
Jeb Dunnuck (92)
An opaque ruby red, the 2021 Zinfandel Home Ranch has more depth, with licorice, black plum and purple flowers. Full-bodied, with blackberry, lavender, and baked earth, this is a highly attractive and juicy wine to drink over the next several years.In Bond€734.00 -
(6x75cl) 2022
Discover the exquisite Seghesio Old Vines Zinfandel 2022, a testament to Sonoma County’s rich viticultural heritage. Crafted by the esteemed Seghesio family, this wine originates from meticulously tended old vine vineyards, some over a century old, nestled in the Dry Creek Valley. Hand-harvested and carefully fermented using traditional methods, the 2022 vintage showcases the depth and complexity characteristic of Seghesio’s craftsmanship. Aromas of ripe blackberries, plums, and subtle spice intertwine with hints of vanilla from oak aging. On the palate, it delivers a robust yet balanced profile with velvety tannins and a lingering finish, embodying the vibrant terroir of Northern California. This Zinfandel offers exceptional structure and elegance, making it a perfect pairing for hearty dishes or a refined solo indulgence. Elevate your collection with Seghesio Old Vines Zinfandel 2022, a distinguished expression of fine Californian winemaking.
In Bond€308.00 -
(12x37.5cl) 2022
Seghesio Rockpile Zinfandel 2022 exemplifies the meticulous craftsmanship of Lorenz Seghesio, a renowned family-owned estate nestled in Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley. Harvested from old-vine Zinfandel vineyards, each grape is hand-selected to ensure peak ripeness and quality. Fermented in traditional stainless steel tanks to preserve the varietal’s vibrant fruit character, the wine undergoes ageing in French oak barrels, imparting subtle spice and complexity. The 2022 vintage displays a deep ruby hue, with enticing aromas of blackberry, plum, and hints of pepper and vanilla. On the palate, it offers a harmonious balance of robust tannins and lively acidity, culminating in a long, elegant finish. Perfectly paired with hearty dishes or savoured on its own, Seghesio Rockpile Zinfandel 2022 stands as a testament to the estate’s enduring dedication to excellence and the rich terroir of Dry Creek Valley.
In Bond€247.00 -
In Bond€486.00
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(12x75cl) 2022
James Suckling (96)
A vibrant, agile and poised Chardonnay with aromas of pears, apples, sweet spices, jasmine and hints of stones. It’s medium- to full-bodied with precise definition on the palate. Fresh acidity and crunchy fruity at the center and a velvety touch to the edge, bringing volume and a voluptuous character throughout. Lively and long finish. Drink or hold.In Bond€572.00 -
Wine Advocate (100)
The 2001 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is the first of these back-to-back perfect wines from Shafer that, at age 13, is still a baby, but, wow, what an amazing wine. A fabulous growing season produced a wine with inky/purple black color, stunning crème de cassis notes, with additional hints of lead pencil shavings, spring flowers, cedar wood and forest floor. It is full-bodied, sensationally concentrated, with a seamless integration of acidity, tannin, wood and alcohol. This is a great, monumental Napa Cabernet Sauvignon that is still an infant, at age 13, going on 14. This has got at least three decades of life left in it, and probably won’t hit its peak for another 5-7 years.In Bond€2,860.00 -
(6x75cl) 2002
Vinous (94+)
(14.9% alcohol): Good dark red. Perfumed, liqueur-like aromas of black plum, dark berries, licorice and cocoa powder. Dense, thick and very ripe but still a bit youthfully brooding; shows the darkest fruit character to this point in the tasting. This extremely dense, thick, youthfully brooding Cabernet finishes with serious ripe tannins and good medicinal reserve. If the 2001 is claret-like in the context of this bottling, then the 2002 is classic liqueur-like Napa Cabernet, even if it's in a bit of a shell today. Less detailed today than the 2001 but I'd love to try these wines side by side again in six or seven years.In Bond€3,057.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (100)
A perfect score has to be considered in the context of its region. Shafer's 2004 Hillside Select is tremendous as a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that competes with its peers at the highest levels. It's always a fabulous wine, but in warm 2004, Shafer's amphitheater vineyard sheltered the grapes, ripening them to perfection yet protecting the "iron fist in a velvet glove" structure that André Tchelistcheff defined as Stags Leap. This 100% Cabernet is tremendous in cassis, black currant and mocha flavors, and the 100% new French oak provides perfect additions of smoke and caramel. It's soft and gorgeous enough to drink now, and should age well in a cool cellar for the next 20 years.In Bond€2,245.00 -
Wine Advocate (99)
One of the world’s great wines and profound expressions of Cabernet Sauvignon, is the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select. This wine spends more than 30 months in 100% new oak, and, year in year out, has been one of the most singular and profound examples of Cabernet Sauvignon in the world. It seems Shafer began to ratchet up performance during the 1990s, and the first decade of the 21st century has provided a treasure trove of either perfect or nearly perfect wines, including the 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007 and more recently the 2010, 2012 and, in all likelihood, the 2013. The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select (about 2,000 cases produced) is another one of those “wow” wines, but it does it with a sort of measured richness and restraint and extraordinary subtle character, like the Gary Cooper of Napa Cabernet Sauvignons – authentic, tall, straight-boned, but substantial and worthy of introspection. Inky purple, with a classic nose of creme de cassis, licorice, a touch of vanilla and forest floor, the wine hits the palate with a gorgeous display of measured, but substantial fruit, body and intensity. Not a component is out of place, and the wine remarkably pure and persuasive. Combine great winemaking with great viticulture and a special terroir, and this is the result. Readers are in the presence of genius when tasting this wine.In Bond€2,350.00 -
Wine Advocate (100)
Deep purple-black colored, the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select exudes beautiful notions of violets, dark chocolate, black olives, spice cake and cedar chest with a core of crème de cassis, blackberry pie, plum preserves and fragrant earth plus a waft of unsmoked cigars. Full-bodied, super concentrated and jam-packed with multilayered black and blue fruits, it has a rock-solid frame of grainy tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing long with tons of exotic spice and savory sparks.In Bond€2,710.00 -
(6x75cl) 2010
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
In comparison to the more lavish, sexy 2002, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is more structured and focused, with incredible purity in its cassis and darker currant fruits as well as complex notes of minty herbs, lead pencil shavings, licorice, graphite, and spring flowers. Reminding me of a great vintage of Château Mouton Rothschild with its concentration, structure, and balance, it’s just now at the early stages of its prime drink window, and it will continue to improve for another decade and hold for 20-25 years thereafter.In Bond€2,563.00 -
(6x75cl) 2011
Wine Advocate (96)
Possibly the Cabernet Sauvignon of the vintage is Shafer’s 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select. Last year I thought it was a strong effort, but it’s even better now that it’s been bottled. With an opaque black/purple color and notes of subtle burning charcoal embers, blueberry, blackberry and graphite, the wine has a certain Bordelais minerality, but then the richness of Napa kicks in. It’s full-bodied (somewhat unusual for a 2011) with lighter tannins, and no doubt the wine will be on a faster evolutionary track than vintages such as 2010, 2012 and 2013. Nevertheless, the Shafers and Elias said this was the toughest vintage they’d ever experienced. To be able to produce a compelling wine like this is a testament to their extraordinary skills and craftsmanship. This wine can be drunk now or cellared for another 15-20 years.In Bond€1,390.00 -
Wine Advocate (100)
Shafer’s flagship wine, and one of the world’s greatest Cabernet Sauvignons, is the Hillside Select, which comes from the rocky, volcanic soils on hillsides above the winery. Vineyard production is small, and the wine an incredible example of Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in 100% new oak for 32 months and bottled unfiltered, this can generally be expected to be one of the top dozen or so Cabernet Sauvignons in virtually any vintage in Napa, and certainly possesses 25 to possibly 50 years of aging potential. The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is a perfect wine. It elicits more than a few “wows” when you smell the incredible notes of charcoal, graphite and subtle toast, buttressed and dominated by blackcurrant, blackberry and blueberry fruit. The purity of these fruits, the multidimensional mouthfeel, the seamless integration of acid, alcohol, tannin and wood are all flawless. The 2012 signature adds an extravagant opulence and density that is just mind-boggling, and the wine is a total hedonistic and intellectual turn-on already, although it has 30+ years of life ahead of it.In Bond€2,250.00 -
James Suckling (99)
Wonderful floral aromas with perfumed roses plus hints of blackcurrants and spearmint. Full-bodied and so powerful and muscular but always showing the brightness and beauty of fruit. Winemakers say this reminds them of the 1978, their first year. It certainly has the structure — "those tannins" as they put it. Finish is so impressive with tar, iron and spices. Available in September 2017. Try in 2023.In Bond€1,435.00 -
(1x150cl) 2016
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
Pure perfection, the prodigious 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select reveals an even deeper purple/blue hue as well as extraordinary notes of unsmoked tobacco, crushed rocks, graphite, crème de cassis, and blueberries. With a massive, full-bodied profile and a texture that builds incrementally on the palate, it has a stacked mid-palate, ultra-fine (yet lots of them) tannins, flawless balance, and a monster of a finish. It’s tight and closed at the moment, so hide bottles for a solid 7-8 years. It should age at a glacier pace.In Bond€870.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
Pure perfection, the prodigious 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select reveals an even deeper purple/blue hue as well as extraordinary notes of unsmoked tobacco, crushed rocks, graphite, crème de cassis, and blueberries. With a massive, full-bodied profile and a texture that builds incrementally on the palate, it has a stacked mid-palate, ultra-fine (yet lots of them) tannins, flawless balance, and a monster of a finish. It’s tight and closed at the moment, so hide bottles for a solid 7-8 years. It should age at a glacier pace.In Bond€2,360.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is another perfect wine, although readers will need to have patience, as it’s still a baby. Deep purple-hued with a perfumed, vibrant bouquet of blue fruits, graphite, spring flowers, and lead pencil, it’s full-bodied, sensationally concentrated, has perfectly integrated acidity, tannin, and alcohol, not a hard edge to be found, and an incredible finish. This monumental Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is 7-8 years away from maturity and will have 40-50 years of overall longevity.In Bond€1,625.00 -
(6x150cl) 2019
Wine Advocate (98+)
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.In Bond€3,540.00
