2000 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon 1×1.5L

Vinous 88

(14.9% alcohol; from a cool summer and a difficult, uneven flowering): Bright, dark red. Lively aromas of dark berries, mocha, tobacco leaf and mint; herbaceous but not overly so. Then juicy and truffley on the palate, with the green flavor shading toward vegetal asparagus. Delivers decent concentration but I wanted more sweetness and juiciness of fruit. Finishes a bit attenuated, with tough tannins. Going nowhere at this point. [Stephen Tanzer, 07/01/2016]

Anticipated maturity: 2016-2020

Robert Parker 94

The 2000 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is another beautiful vintage from a challenging year. The brilliant winemaking and great terroir of the Hillside Select overcame the vintage deficiencies. A touch of herbaceousness is a rarity in a Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon, but one can taste it in the 2000. It adds complexity as opposed to any distraction. Somewhat similar in style to the 1993, with a certain austerity, but deep, tarry red and black currant fruit and plush medium to full-bodied texture, this wine seems to have reached full maturity, where is should be drunk up over the next 5-10 years. [Robert M. Parker, Jr., 31/08/2014]

Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024