Since 1991, Shafer's Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon has unquestionably been one of the top dozen or so California Cabernets. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged 32 months in 100% French oak casks (the majority Taransaud), it possesses the elegance and finesse one would expect from the Stag's Leap area, but also monumental power, richness, and intensity. The 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is one of the vintage's super-stars. Its opaque purple color is accompanied by super aromatics, immense body, great fruit extraction, superb purity and overall symmetry, as well as a 40+ second finish. Revealing exceptional intensity (but no heaviness) as well as perfectly integrated acidity, tannin, and alcohol, this fabulous Cabernet will drink wonderfully for three decades.

A drought year produced the 1996 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select, which is slightly more compact than great vintages, but nevertheless impressive. It offers further evidence that even in more challenging years, the Hillside Select is a special wine. Dense plum/purple with notes of cedarwood, charcoal, underbrush and forest, the wine has plenty of cassis, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, ripe tannin, but a slightly less impressive finish than the 1995 or 1994. This wine seems to be in its plateau of full maturity, where it should hold for at least another 10-12 years.

The excellent 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon (13.5% alcohol, and made from a blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Cabernet Franc) is more sternly constructed, and possesses rougher tannin than the 1997. The wine's saturated ruby color is followed by a big, spicy, black currant, loamy soil, and smoky-scented bouquet. The mid-palate is rich, pure, and well-endowed, and there is noticeable tannin in the moderately long finish (a characteristic of many 1996 North Coast reds). This wine will benefit from 1-3 years of cellaring, and will keep for 12-15.Tel. (707) 944-2877; fax (707) 944-9454.