98+ points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate): "Made entirely of Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2009 Hillside Select has a deep garnet color. Wow—it explodes from the glass with this atomic nose of crème de cassis, Black Forest cake, baked plums and boysenberries plus hints of licorice, mocha, cedar chest and pencil lead with a waft of garrigue. Full-bodied, the palate is a concentrated, full-on behemoth, possessing fantastic balance and expressiveness, finishing with epic length and a fantastically velvety texture. Drink 2020-2045 (Jan 2020)"
98 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "Shafer's 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is all high notes. Sweet red plum and cherry notes meld into mint, spice and new leather, all supported by silky, polished tannins that add finesse to the plush fruit. Rich, opulent and beautifully textured throughout, the 2009 is going to provide fabulous, viscerally thrilling drinking pretty much right out of the gate. This is a great Hillside Select. Frankly, I can't imagine anyone who enjoys Hillside Select not wanting the 2009 in their cellar. The persistent, resonant finish is pure sensuality. Drink 2019-2039 (Nov 2013)"
97-98 points James Suckling: "This is mind blowing stuff. Notes of mint, minerals, currants, blackberries, with hints of cedar. Full bodied, very velvety and chewy. This won't be out until 2013. Winemaker believes this could be the best one yet, and I have to agree. Barrel sample. (2/16/11)"
97 points Anthony Dias Blue (The Tasting Panel): "Ripe and rich with exquisite plum, blueberry, rich cassis and sweet oak; beautifully structured, built to last with hints of licorice and psice; long, elegant and polished. (Dec 2013)"
96 points Wine Spectator: "A monumental effort, offering a striking crescendo of dense, rich flavors, beginning with pure dark berry, mocha, tobacco leaf, cigar box, dried herb and crushed rock notes. The tannins are full-strength as well, drying and gripping on the finish as they hold the road tar and cedar details in place. Best from 2015 through 2030. 2,400 cases made. (3/31/14)"
94-96 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Deep saturated ruby. Utterly primary aromas of crushed black fruits; still grapey. Fat, sweet and large-scaled, with superb depth to its black fruit flavors. Finishes with substantial tannic clout and superb length. An infant today, this will spend at least another 12 months in barrel before being bottled. Great potential. (May/Jun 2011)"
95 points Connoisseurs' Guide: "As always a decidedly extravagant wine and one that marches right to the very brink of being too much of good thing, the latest Hillside Select will be frowned upon by those who find unabashed richness and size to be faults and joyously celebrated by those of us who do not. It is powerful stuff that is marvelously deep in near-juicy fruit, and it is lavishly appointed with lovely oak, but for all of its largesse, it is solidly built with the structure to age for years. We have seen how its fully ripe predecessors have flourished with time, and we have no doubt that this one will do the same. (Dec 2013)"
94 points California Grapevine: "Dark purplish ruby color; very attractive, intense, cassis and blackberry fruit aroma that developed depth and some complexity with airing in the glass; full body; big, rich, concentrated, textured, mouth-filling, cassis and black fruit flavors with traces of cocoa and dried herbs; full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Firmly structured and showing distinctive varietal character, this powerful wine deserves a good five if not ten more years of bottle aging. Very highly recommended. 15.5% alcohol; 2,400 cases; 100% Cabernet Sauvignon; released September 2013. (Oct 2013)"
98 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "Shafer's 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is all high notes. Sweet red plum and cherry notes meld into mint, spice and new leather, all supported by silky, polished tannins that add finesse to the plush fruit. Rich, opulent and beautifully textured throughout, the 2009 is going to provide fabulous, viscerally thrilling drinking pretty much right out of the gate. This is a great Hillside Select. Frankly, I can't imagine anyone who enjoys Hillside Select not wanting the 2009 in their cellar. The persistent, resonant finish is pure sensuality. Drink 2019-2039 (Nov 2013)"
97-98 points James Suckling: "This is mind blowing stuff. Notes of mint, minerals, currants, blackberries, with hints of cedar. Full bodied, very velvety and chewy. This won't be out until 2013. Winemaker believes this could be the best one yet, and I have to agree. Barrel sample. (2/16/11)"
97 points Anthony Dias Blue (The Tasting Panel): "Ripe and rich with exquisite plum, blueberry, rich cassis and sweet oak; beautifully structured, built to last with hints of licorice and psice; long, elegant and polished. (Dec 2013)"
96 points Wine Spectator: "A monumental effort, offering a striking crescendo of dense, rich flavors, beginning with pure dark berry, mocha, tobacco leaf, cigar box, dried herb and crushed rock notes. The tannins are full-strength as well, drying and gripping on the finish as they hold the road tar and cedar details in place. Best from 2015 through 2030. 2,400 cases made. (3/31/14)"
94-96 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Deep saturated ruby. Utterly primary aromas of crushed black fruits; still grapey. Fat, sweet and large-scaled, with superb depth to its black fruit flavors. Finishes with substantial tannic clout and superb length. An infant today, this will spend at least another 12 months in barrel before being bottled. Great potential. (May/Jun 2011)"
95 points Connoisseurs' Guide: "As always a decidedly extravagant wine and one that marches right to the very brink of being too much of good thing, the latest Hillside Select will be frowned upon by those who find unabashed richness and size to be faults and joyously celebrated by those of us who do not. It is powerful stuff that is marvelously deep in near-juicy fruit, and it is lavishly appointed with lovely oak, but for all of its largesse, it is solidly built with the structure to age for years. We have seen how its fully ripe predecessors have flourished with time, and we have no doubt that this one will do the same. (Dec 2013)"
94 points California Grapevine: "Dark purplish ruby color; very attractive, intense, cassis and blackberry fruit aroma that developed depth and some complexity with airing in the glass; full body; big, rich, concentrated, textured, mouth-filling, cassis and black fruit flavors with traces of cocoa and dried herbs; full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Firmly structured and showing distinctive varietal character, this powerful wine deserves a good five if not ten more years of bottle aging. Very highly recommended. 15.5% alcohol; 2,400 cases; 100% Cabernet Sauvignon; released September 2013. (Oct 2013)"
| Product SKU | 318502 |
| Producer | Shafer |
| Country | United States |
| Region | California |
| Varietal | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Vintage | 2009 |
| Size | 1.5L |
| Color | Red |
| ABV | 15.5% |
| Ships To |
