Joe Flo

9.5

This is hitting it's stride great black fruit silky soft tannins. This still has loads of life left. — 9 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

When I tasted this wine fresh at the UGC in Bordeaux, it was one of the wines of the day. However, I must confess it was one of over a hundred wines I tasted that day. This is my first taste of it since then. Being an 04, it will forever be overshadowed by the 05 vintage. The wine while evolving nicely is still a fairly long way from being ready. Right now, it needs food/grilled meat to bring it to a fuller life. The 04 is; dry blackberries, spiced black plum, dark cherries, violets, decayed floral bouquet, mocha chocolate, dry herbs, mint, menthol, strong leather, lots of graphite, tar, tobacco with ash, dry dark soil, dry pebbles, volcanic minerals, dry stems & big spice. The structure and tannins are still big. The fruit and earth are only beginning to come into balance and still need a lot of evolutionary work. The length is still somewhat austere but long. The acidity is a short of what is required. The finish is sticky big dry tannins, dry dark cassis, mocha chocolate, big spice, dry herbs but has it's pleasure. The 04 needs another 8-10 years before it delivers on any of it's early preconceived expectations. However, this wine has the potential to be much more than it has tonight. — 9 years ago

Olivius Maximus

9.2

$25 at the local store does not start to do any justice for this beast of a wine. Daou is a medium to heavy Cabernet that spells of dark ripe sex fruit. Blackberry, blueberry, black courrant...oh fucking my! After tasting Daou's zesty finish, one will require the jaws of life to unlock purple lips from this delectable monster. — 11 years ago

Michael Schamis

9.5

A spectacular nose of black, stewed plum, blackberry, dark cherries, sandalwood, leather, and cloves. The palate is lush and lively for a pinot with some age and great acidity. Juicy flavors of black cherries, black raspberries, plums and even a touch of orange rind lead to notes of cola, leather, oak, cloves and dried spice. The layers of fruit continue through the amazing long finish complimented by big acidity and continued spice. While this still has life to spare it's in a wonderful spot. Awesome! — 9 years ago

with Kati

Mark Darley

9.1

I have followed this wine for 30 years and almost always enjoyed it. Made by the owners of Leoville las Cases this wine seems to buck the trend of 03 Bordeaux in that it still has life in it. No signs of slightly over ripe forward fruit. There is earth, spice and dark black currant aplenty. It gets better in the glass. Mineral notes on the nose and palate give this medium weight wine a back bone and very rewarding taste and aroma. I think, unlike many 2003 wines, it will live a while yet. I've still got two bottles. A good this. This makes sense. — 11 years ago

Mark Seeber

8.9

A few more years of life. vibrant and tannic (but balanced). Celebrating being Lutheran (official) again! Concentrated fruit, strawberries, figs, black pepper, touch of oak. Weak nose, otherwise would score higher — 11 years ago

Brad Pejcic

9.3

This thing must have been nothing but oak on release. It's still very noticeable but the fruit is giving it a good run. Savoury red and black fruits, black olives, herbs and classic Hunter earth. If only there was less oak, this could have been a great wine. I had the same vintage last year which was almost dead but this one had plenty of life left despite the cork crumbling into a million pieces trying to extract. — 9 years ago

Jason Hemming

9.4

Bought of restaurant list at reasonable price. Decanted and frank over 90minutes. Beautifully perfumed with dark black and blue fruit, menthol, leather and touch of smoke. Well integrated but firm fine tannins. Plenty of life left. — 10 years ago

Hermes Ortiz

9.7

2002 SHAFER Cabernet Sauvignon
"Hillside Select"
Napa Valley, California
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Silky smooth.
Soft, lush tannins.
Dark, Black Fruit.
Blackberry and Blueberry Flavors.
All Elements in harmony.
Great Balance.
Extra long finish.
"Wine of the Night".
Still has another 5 - 10 years of life ahead. — 11 years ago

with Jeffrey

Brittany Stone

9.5

Bright wine with tons of life left. Notes of Black cherry, black tea, cigar box and anise. Delicious. — 12 years ago