Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Ratings on Delectable

Mike R Delectable Pro

WHN virtual tasting of different HHS - I choose the 2005 - 3 hour decant - medium body and palette / red blue and of course black fruits - stags leap taste profile with old school winemaking - length was not as long as I would have wanted - ABV is 15% and just a little heat present - delicious and could last longer but why wait as this fruit forward is perfectly integrated now

WHN virtual tasting of different HHS - I choose the 2005 - 3 hour decant - medium body and palette / red blue and of course black fruits - stags leap taste profile with old school winemaking - length was not as long as I would have wanted - ABV is 15% and just a little heat present - delicious and could last longer but why wait as this fruit forward is perfectly integrated now

9.6

Mike R Delectable Pro

Omg so good and still young - loved it with @David L

Omg so good and still young - loved it with @David L

9.7

David L Delectable Pro

2005 Shafer "Hillside Select" Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon. Palate- Warm black cherries, plum, blackberries & fresh black currants. Complexed/seamless, remarkably balanced, finishing with great length & depth. Tremendous wine that’s raring to go now. @Mike R Multiple thanks aging for sharing this sensation bottle.

2005 Shafer "Hillside Select" Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon. Palate- Warm black cherries, plum, blackberries & fresh black currants. Complexed/seamless, remarkably balanced, finishing with great length & depth. Tremendous wine that’s raring to go now. @Mike R Multiple thanks aging for sharing this sensation bottle.

9.6

Shay A Delectable Pro

Lots of fun bottles were popped at Al’s hosting this past weekend for his birthday celebration. All were served blind. 1 sparkler, 2 whites, 6 reds and 1 dessert wine. Out of all the wines from the night, this one changed the most. At first, it was very reminiscent of South African blends with a smoky rubbery like note. Odd. After about two hours, it shed that and was showing a lot of sweet cassis, baking spices, ripe red and black fruits. Balanced and smooth on the palate with graham cracker, dates, dark cocoa and mixed berries. I called this Napa cab but couldn’t pin point a producer. Props to Weston for calling this Shafer HSS!

Lots of fun bottles were popped at Al’s hosting this past weekend for his birthday celebration. All were served blind. 1 sparkler, 2 whites, 6 reds and 1 dessert wine. Out of all the wines from the night, this one changed the most. At first, it was very reminiscent of South African blends with a smoky rubbery like note. Odd. After about two hours, it shed that and was showing a lot of sweet cassis, baking spices, ripe red and black fruits. Balanced and smooth on the palate with graham cracker, dates, dark cocoa and mixed berries. I called this Napa cab but couldn’t pin point a producer. Props to Weston for calling this Shafer HSS!

9.4

Bill Bender Delectable Pro

3 hour Audoze followed by a 2 hour decant and poured back in the bottle for dinner. This was extraordinary! Every bit as impressive as the ‘01 and ‘02. Robust blackberries, graphite, a smooth yet substantial mouthfeel and a sensational lingering finish. I recall reading a review of the Shafer HSS that descried the wine as “an elegant sledgehammer”....a perfectly succinct and apt description

3 hour Audoze followed by a 2 hour decant and poured back in the bottle for dinner. This was extraordinary! Every bit as impressive as the ‘01 and ‘02. Robust blackberries, graphite, a smooth yet substantial mouthfeel and a sensational lingering finish. I recall reading a review of the Shafer HSS that descried the wine as “an elegant sledgehammer”....a perfectly succinct and apt description

9.6

Daniel Taub

Young but very enjoyable phenomenal nose and finish

Young but very enjoyable phenomenal nose and finish

9.1

Liz Peer

Full bodied cab with strong berry notes - another birthday winner!

Full bodied cab with strong berry notes - another birthday winner!

8.7

Rob Brobst III Delectable Pro

@Paul Treadway Huntington Beacher Big Big Big Wine!

@Paul Treadway Huntington Beacher Big Big Big Wine!

9.8

Greg Ballington Delectable Pro

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

Deep ruby red. A little savory to start on the nose with dark yet muted black berries. Solid undertone of dark baking spices, especially cinnamon and vanilla. A touch floral too. Moderate plus tannins (7.5/10) and full bodied. Very dark and extracted palate, voluptuous. Dark and black cherries with blueberry undertones with cherry cola. Long and lingering finish. Delicious wine with years to come. Drink till 2027.

Deep ruby red. A little savory to start on the nose with dark yet muted black berries. Solid undertone of dark baking spices, especially cinnamon and vanilla. A touch floral too. Moderate plus tannins (7.5/10) and full bodied. Very dark and extracted palate, voluptuous. Dark and black cherries with blueberry undertones with cherry cola. Long and lingering finish. Delicious wine with years to come. Drink till 2027.

9.4

Scott Barber Delectable Pro

Wine Educator Meadowood Napa Valley

'05 is a 'lighter' vintage but it's still a monster. Still showing the class of Shafer

'05 is a 'lighter' vintage but it's still a monster. Still showing the class of Shafer

9.2

WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.