Shafer Vineyards

Shafer Vineyards

25th Sunspot Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

24 barrels, en magnum what a wonderful tribute to John Shafer. Beautiful balance. Fruit still showing strong. — 7 years ago

Jay, Conrad and 2 others liked this

Gargiulo Vineyards

Aprile Super Oakville Blend Sangiovese Blend 2014

Ron R
9.4

American Sangiovese!
As I recall, Shafer tried something similar with Firebreak. I loved that (past tense as it is no longer produced), but this is better.
The nose is earthy, yet dominated with cloves and cinnamon.
On the palete, its tightly knit. The wine is precise and polished. Tannins are ripe and muscular. Lovely berries and black olives define the flavor profile. Finishes with sweet tobacco.
Because of its youth, this needs air. It's a beautiful example that should be left to stretch it legs for at least 2 - 3 more years. My rating does not suggest where the wine could go three years from now. Be patient. I expect great things going forward.
@Martin G Rivard thank you so much.
— 7 years ago

Weijie, Greg and 27 others liked this
Ron R

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@Michael Meyer thank you for your input. Are the wines that you mention approachable in their youth, or are they best enjoyed with a little age? Thanks in advance.
Michael Meyer

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@Ron R they are both made in an approachable style and can certainly be enjoyed within a year or two of release, but they also will improve with several years of bottle age. RP thinks the Pride version is one of Cali's best (if you can find it).
Ron R

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Very good to know, @Michael Meyer. Thanks again. I never knew about the Pride example. Tried their 14 syrah a few months ago - distinctly average, which is very unlike Pride.

Tyler

Zotovich Family Vineyard Chardonnay 2013

B
10

2013 Tyler Zotovich Family Vineyard Chardonnay. Drank at the D.R. concert. Interesting to try this alongside the Shafer Red Shoulder. This wine had beautiful apple and citrus on the nose and a pleasant acidity. Really nice. — 8 years ago

Krug

Brut Rosé Champagne Blend

Naples Winter Wine Fest dinner with Krug and Shafer. I don't know what more to say than I want to drink this every day. — 8 years ago

Mike, Cody and 14 others liked this

Ilsley Vineyards

Single Vineyard Estate Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

2011 so I was a little skeptical, but from stags leap and a stones throw from The Shafer property. Tasted the deep, ripe berry on the nose followed by a complex mix flavors on the palate--rich and smooth. The finish was excellent and surprisingly long. 9.4 for me helped that it allegedly was secured for under $60. Won't disappoint if you can find. Delectable was out! — 9 years ago

Shafer Vineyards

Stags Leap District Port Blend 1999

Delicious. Even better the next day. Nothing like an afternoon port by a fire on a snowy day. — 9 years ago

Ellen Shaughnessy
with Ellen

Shafer Vineyards

25 Years Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

As good as Napa Cab gets! — 7 years ago

Steve, Jason and 3 others liked this

Dalla Valle Vineyards

Pietre Rosse Sangiovese Cabernet Sauvignon 1996

Another nice California Sangiovese. Lots of leather and smoke. Less bright red fruit and acidity than the Shafer Firebreak Sangiovese I opened last week, and consequently this was not quite as food-friendly. Still pretty enjoyable. — 7 years ago

Shawn, Jonathan and 18 others liked this
Shawn R

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Departure from the norm.

Château L'Arrosée

Saint-Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2010

BRM
9.1

Reminiscent of Shafer Relentless. Becomes better the more you drink of it. Goes well with lamb. Just smooth throughout. — 8 years ago

Shafer Vineyards

Firebreak Napa Valley Sangiovese Blend 1996

One of the best representations of Sangiovese I've tasted outside of Italy — 8 years ago

Ian liked this

Paul Lato

Cinematique Larner Vineyard Syrah 2005

I've had a perfect wine a handful of times. 2000 SQN Suey. 62 latour. 97 Gaja from 3L. 97 Shafer Hillside Select. This is at that level. Balance. Creamy. Expressive nose of sweet flowers, stone fruits and juicy raspberry blueberry vanilla, flint and the feeling you can only get from the hug of your mother. A wine at its peak. Embarrassed to enjoy this alone. But I will. — 8 years ago

Chris and Marty liked this

Eighty Four Wines

Napa Valley Petite Sirah 2009

Huge in your face licorice high alcohol fruit bomb from Doug Shafer — 8 years ago

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc White Rhone Blend

This wine has a minerality the others were lacking. Wonderful flavors, this wine defines what I want in a CdP, much like Shafer HSS does for a Napa Cabernet. The last vintage I bought was the 2007, and I need to rectify that. — 9 years ago

David and Greg liked this

Shafer Vineyards

Firebreak Stags Leap District Sangiovese Blend 2009

This might just rival Relentless — 9 years ago

Noah liked this

Shafer Vineyards

Premiere Napa Valley Auction SunSpot Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

This was by far one of the best barrel samples I tasted all week. Could be the auction winner this year. Won't be bottled for more than another year, yet showed a purity and elegance you just wouldn't expect from a barrel sample. Bright red fruit offset by wet earth, new French oak, and a core of clean, bright acidity. Pretty damn gorgeous, even with an exhausted palate. This will be an amazing treat for one very fortunate bidder. — 7 years ago

Russell LichtensteinFrank Kevin Ortzman
with Russell, Frank and 2 others
Kevin, Kimberly and 20 others liked this
Kevin Ortzman

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Agree, this was a real beauty 🍷👍🏻
Mike R

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Damn bud - be like super man and fly a bottom over quickly
David L

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@Joe Lucca I've had sunspot in the past. We only had it in magnums? The wine is extremely special !

Peter Michael Winery

Estate Vineyards Les Pavots Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2001

My WOTN but others preferred Katrina or Shafer. I loved the elegant approach., complex nuances and bog finish. Drink them now if you have them But can easily be cellared a little longer. I think it's at it's peak right now. — 8 years ago

Martin, Alison and 24 others liked this
Mike R

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Awesome
Sean Smith

Sean Smith

Love this wine - great choice. Hard to go wrong with PM!
Martin G Rivard

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@Sean Smith thanks Sean!!
I agree with you 100% 😍🍷😜

Beau Vigne

Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

.
9.3

This reminds me of the very best versions of Shafer SLD cab (now One Point Five). It seems to be at peak, but I expect it should stay there for several more years. — 8 years ago

Eric, David and 11 others liked this
Eric

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Nice. Recently discovered this producer. Glad to see they hang around for awhile.
David L

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Very nice
Ryan Carey

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Love these wines. They've been getting such high scores that they're pulling them from distribution and making them even harder to find

Shafer Vineyards

Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1996

This wine is so soft and mellow. It has aged very well. The nose is overwhelmingly floral; crushed rose petals, violets, and chamomile with a palate of stewed red fruit, raisin, anise, and pine. — 8 years ago

AndrewT liked this
AndrewT

AndrewT

Where can I get this

Eighty Four Wines

Napa Valley Malbec 2012

New project of Doug Shafer and Elias Fernandez. Beautiful Malbec - full body, lots of character, still young, probably needs more time, but definitely age worthy! Coffee beans, mocha, milk chocolate covered cherry, vanilla, sandalwood. Layers of complexity! Needs time to open up. Velvety finish. — 9 years ago

Paul and Serge liked this

Sleight Of Hand Cellars

The Illusionist Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Antoine Pin
9.3

Another amazing red! Soft, yet it just keeps kicking. Last time I had one like this it was over $100. It was the Shafer Reserve Cab. 2010. — 10 years ago

Trey Busch
with Trey
Trey, John and 8 others liked this