Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District Hillside Select 2010

100 points Robert Parker: "The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select offers a mindblowing display of blue, red and black fruits along with licorice and floral notes. The prodigious aromatics are followed by a precise, rich, pure blast of inky black currant, blueberry and mulberry flavors. The oak is virtually undetectable, and the wine, for all its power, richness and depth, is incredibly light on its feet and ethereal. It should drink well for 3 to 4 decades. Those who might argue that wines over 14% alcohol are hot, loathsome and heavy really need to objectively taste these wines rather than bloviate. (Oct 2013)"

100 points Jeb Dunnuck: "In comparison to the more lavish, sexy 2002, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is more structured and focused, with incredible purity in its cassis and darker currant fruits as well as complex notes of minty herbs, lead pencil shavings, licorice, graphite, and spring flowers. Reminding me of a great vintage of Château Mouton Rothschild with its concentration, structure, and balance, it’s just now at the early stages of its prime drink window, and it will continue to improve for another decade and hold for 20-25 years thereafter. Drink: 2023-2048. (5/16/23)"

98 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "Readers will have to be much more patient with the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select, as there is much less early appeal here. Dark cherries, plums, graphite, mint and cloves emerge over time, but only with great reluctance. The 2010 finishes with bracing, cool minerality, showing impressive depth, power and energy. The pulsating, vibrant 2010 is pretty much the opposite of the 2009. Following both over the next 10-20 years is going to be great fun. Drink: 2020-2030. (Nov 2013)"

97 points Stephen Tanzer (Vinous): "Bright, dark ruby to the rim. Very pure if subdued aromas of blackcurrant, black cherry, dark chocolate and minerals; conveys a strong Stags Leap terroir character. Enters the mouth voluptuous, broad and seamless but still youthful, showing a faintly inky reserve to its powerful dark fruit, licorice and mineral flavors. This Napa Valley masterpiece is developing at a snail's pace. The finish goes on and on, with substantial fine-grained, toothcoating tannins in perfect balance with the wine's fruit. Wonderfully sweet and voluminous but not excessively so, as there's so much else going on here. This wine was only a tad more developed than a spectacular sample I tasted as part of a vertical tasting I did at the estate in 2016. A great vintage for Shafer. Drink: 2023-2040. (May 2020)"

Producer notes: "100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The long, cool 2010 vintage has given this wine dark color, high-toned, perfumy aromas and elegant flavors of dark cherry, espresso, sweet vanilla and wet earth with enticing rose petal, cranberry, blueberry, oregano and sage. The mouthfilling complexity and completeness here come together with ripe, smooth-textured tannins and a persistent finish that won’t let go. Alcohol 15.5%."