Paul K

9.3

I know, I’m here too early, but I bought 3 cases for a steal. I’m excited to see the evolution over next 25 years and I can have more than a bottle a year so no scolding required! 😉 looking forward to the education. Makes you think though. I’m about done buying Bordeaux futures. Too long to wait, store, and 20-25 years is starting to look blurry in the telescope. Now it’s on to auctions and buying wines that are ready. — 5 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.6

2018 vintage. Last tasted 04.08.23 (9.5), 12.01.22 from a 375ml (9.5) and upon release 06.07.21 (9.5). Decanted and tasted after 45 minutes. Mysterious, dark-fruited and dusty nose. Medium body with excellent darkness of night color. Previous baby-fat overtures approximately 90% gonzo. Slimming down and getting more toned. In a state of transition with undeniable tension that can easily be misconstrued as underperforming. Last wine I tasted that was under this sort of metamorphosis at this level was the 1996 Pichon-Lalande about 1.5 years ago. Such a privilege to experience world-class wines in such a vulnerable moment. Everything is laid out bare/naked before you and you can see where the wine is headed and whether it will be following a trajectory that agrees with you. Definitely unusual to find this occurring in a wine this youthful but the 21st Century is smashing the old 20th Century clay tablets and digitizing. For most wine enthusiasts sampling this wine now, expecting some disappointment in the scoring. For myself, this is currently in the perfect symmetry of past, present and future. Will it show critically better in the future according to the accepted trials, palates, judges and juries? Probably. Will they experience the potential, doubts, insecurities and questions? Doubtful. This kid stays in this exact picture for another 2-4 years imho before striking another pose and I would love to taste this again during that time frame. An above and beyond thank you to FLB (Friday Lunch Bunch) regular Todd. 08.15.25. — 9 months ago

Byron Hewett

9.3

End of the bottle, but still good. — 4 years ago

JLH

9.3

Dry, well balanced, delicious. Not quite as full bodied as I usually expect for a Can. — 7 years ago

Brandon Boesch

9.3

Nose of plums, forest floor with fresh fallen flower petals. Taste is of plums, black tea, Forest, raspberry, mushroom. I really like this. Opened up after an hour of pulling cork and really excellent after 2+. — 7 years ago

Thomas Ozanne

9.0

Can get old again, it’s crazy. — 8 years ago

Jake Hajer

9.2

Can still use time. Thyme, pomegranate, tomato. Nice wine. Great for food. — 6 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.4

Medium ruby garnet terracotta rim, slightly wider than the Lynch. This is cooler and slightly sterner in character than the Lynch. More mineral , with ash , cedar and grafite in character , cassis , blackberry , dark cherry fruits. On the palate this is denser with more tannin , and balanced acidity . Grafite , cassis , herbal cedar , menthol touch . Long fresh but densely fruited, grafite finish . This is younger and more serious than the Lynch, more austere . Probably deserves a little time in decanter, though this is probably in the middle of its drinking window . Certainly no rush here , can go on well for the next 10 if not more years . This shows a really good mix of St Estephe austerity , seriousness and the ripeness and generosity of 1990. A great bottle , showing very well. — 7 months ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.5

Medium dark robe, nose of steak tartare and cedar. Very complex and elegant in the mouth, great acidity and balance, licorice, dried flowers, a hint of dry port. Finishes on a beautiful acid note and is such a companion. Truly great bottle. You can barely tell the vintage. — 3 years ago

with Jose, veronique and 1 other

Martin Mata

9.3

Just as good as last time. Paired nicely with roasted branzino and couscous salad. Purchased at Popina in Brooklyn, NY. — 5 years ago

Keith Lite

9.5

A big bold plumy purple bomb As dense and luscious as a wine can get in a glass. Decanted for 2 hrs and its still a baby with blackberry, dark chocolate licorice and pepper on the nose and on the palate. A long long finish and loads of tannins to sum it all up — 7 years ago

with Bruce

Sipping Fine Wine

10

To me Shafer is among the worlds best wineries. Aged 32 months in 100% new French oak. Vivid deep purple color, and outstanding aromas of red/black fruits, cherries and blackberries, with hints of cedar, floral oak & spice. Tasting this wine was absolutely magnificent, concentrated dark berry fruit flavors, spices, leather and oak, exploding on my palate. Soft velvety subtle tannins provide a nice deep lingering finish. Truly an outstanding Cab, one of the best. If you can find yourself a bottle, do not hesitate. Should last at least 10 more yrs. — 7 years ago

Raun Kupiec

9.4

Herbal, peppery aromas mixed with hints of mint. Tannins are still strong almost 20 years on, almost mouth puckering. Very deep, dark fruit still there too. — 8 years ago

Julie Tye

9.1

Dinner for DWL birthday. From RAR for TR birthday. — 7 months ago

with Roger

Bruce Leboff

9.5

Wow. A stunner. Well balanced and not sweet. Still grippy tannins - and a super long finish. really nice. Ready to drink - but worthy of further cellaring of you can wait!! — 7 months ago

with David

Ericsson

9.8

1st Growth Bordeaux comparison. Mind blowing. I mean, from a weak Bordeaux vintage comes this masterpiece which can be enjoyed now or saved for decades to come. Beautiful nose and almost perfumed with roses and black cheery and blueberry, cedar, and pencil shavings. The palate is pure bliss full of complexity, intensity yet balanced and the finish just goes on and on. Cheers. — 10 months ago

Chip Habegger

8.9

Solid Riesling. Lots of traditional notes like apple, but more banana than expected Despite the sweeter banana notes, managed to stay lively. Medium-minus acidity. — 3 years ago

AJ Gubser

8.9

Nose of lemon meringue, coconut, and seashells. Very pretty.

Lean and focused on the palate. Lots of citrusy acidity layered with some of the richer tropical notes and minerality. Good length.

Great aperitif for these hotter months and a good value. More please! — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.4

Another killer Wednesday Wine Committee lineup. As always, 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert wine. All tasted blind.

I guessed mid-80s Bordeaux. This was so youthful! Surprised all of us. 49yrs young and doing just fine. Great color...garnet core. Plenty of cranberry, old black cherry and new saddle leather. Definitely some herbal/mushroom characteristics on the palate but they are surrounded by more red fruit and underbrush at the finish. Structure is still very solid! Just incredible wine can taste like this at this age. — 7 years ago

with Will, Ryan and 1 other

Mike Saviage

9.5

Dark purple plum skin color from center to the rim’s edge where some scarlet also appears. Opaque. Great fruit forward nose that grabs your attention. Notes of blackberries, ripe plums, violets, tobacco, forest floor and some crushed walnuts. Rich and silky in the mouth. Great balance and texture. Tannins perfectly integrated. Long finish. If a Cal Cab can be seductive, this is it. Still youthful but in a great zone tonight. — 8 years ago