2001 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon 1x750ml

Vinous 96

The 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is in the zone today. Rich and sumptuous, the 2001 possesses notable depth and layers of flavor that build effortlessly. The first signs of aromatic maturity have begun to appear and the tannins are pretty soft, and yet the 2001 has enough depth to drink well for another decade. Hints of tobacco, cedar, worn-in leather and crushed autumn leaves linger. Doug Shafer and longtime winemaker Elias Fernandez told me they dropped quite a bit of fruit to bring the vineyard into balance during what was a long, cool growing season with extended hang time. [Antonio Galloni, 04/06/2023]

Anticipated maturity: 2021-2031

Robert Parker 100

I should not be surprised that the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select merited a perfect rating since I rated it 99 eight years ago. I also gave the 2002 Hillside Select a perfect rating. Kudos to Doug and John Shafer for creating two perfect wines in back to back vintages. The 2001 is a big wine (14.9% natural alcohol), but the alcohol is buried beneath an avalanche of creme de cassis, wood smoke, toast, licorice and spring flower characteristics. Super full-bodied with fabulous fruit purity, a broad, expansive mouthfeel, lots of glycerin and a huge upside, this 2001 is still an infant at age ten, but it is approachable as well as compelling to smell and taste. It has at least another three decades of aging potential ahead of it and is one of the great young, legendary classics from Napa Valley. It was a privilege to taste. There are approximately 2,000 cases of this cuvee which comes from Shafer’s hillside vineyards in the Stags Leap area and is aged 32 months in 100% new French oak. Tel. (707) 944-2877; Fax (707) 944-9454 [Robert M. Parker, Jr., 06/30/2011]