Shafer Hillside Select Stags Leap District Napa Cabernet 2021 Rated 99WA

Wine Advocate Review
Rated 99
All Cabernet Sauvignon from specific hillside blocks on the estate, Shafer's 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select spent 28 months in 100% new French oak. It's a big, ripe wine, weighing in at 15.5% alcohol, but it remains harmonious from front to back. Deep, intense aromas of black cherries and cassis are accented by dried spices on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is rich and textural, showing tremendous intensity and length on the finish. Based on how previous examples have aged, this vintage should drink well through 2050.

More Accolades

• James Suckling: 99 points
• Jeb Dunnuck: 99 points
• VinoUS Media: 99 points
• Decanter Magazine: 99 points

Shafer Hillside Select Stags Leap District Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

One of Napa Valley's most iconic wines, the 2021 Shafer Hillside Select is a powerful, impeccably structured Cabernet sourced exclusively from the rugged hillside estate vineyards of Stags Leap District.
The vintage delivers purity, depth, and age-worthy intensity—showcasing why Hillside Select remains a benchmark for world-class Cabernet.

Key Details

• Producer: Shafer Vineyards
• Wine: Hillside Select
• Region: Stags Leap District, Napa Valley
• Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
• Style: Powerful, structured, age-worthy Napa Cabernet
• ABV: 15.5%

Tasting Notes

• Blackberry, cassis, and black cherry
• Dark chocolate, graphite, espresso, and warm spice
• Dense, polished tannins with tremendous concentration
• Long, layered finish with mineral tension and deep fruit

Profile & Craft

• Sourced from steep, rocky hillside estate vineyards
• Aged 28 months in 100% new 60-gallon French oak barrels
• Signature Stags Leap power meets refined elegance
• One of Napa's most collectible and consistently top-rated Cabernets

Serving & Pairing

• Serve at 60-65°F to highlight structure and aromatics
• Pairs with ribeye, lamb, short ribs, truffle dishes, and aged cheeses
• Ideal for collectors and special-occasion cellaring
• Drink 2026-2045+ for peak evolution