99/100 PP
"The current release, the 1994 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select, is a prodigious Cabernet. I had it at a tasting in Japan, and the Japanese were as enthusiastic about it as my rating suggested they should be. They were crestfallen when informed they probably would not be able to buy multiple cases of the wine! The 1994 combines the vintage\'s spectacularly ripe, luscious fruit with a rarely seen degree of elegance and finesse. The wine is extremely rich, as well as gorgeously poised and graceful. The saturated ruby/purple color is accompanied by Medoc-like, lead pencil aromas intermixed with cassis, cedar, minerals, and spice. I wrote the word "great" four different times in my most recent tasting note, which mirrored every other tasting note I have. It is full-bodied and seamless, with a silky texture, voluptuous richness, and fabulous purity. The finish lasts for over 40 seconds. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2025.
Since the 1991 vintage, one of the stars of the Cabernet Sauvignon sweepstakes has been Shafer\'s Hillside Select. Approximately 2,000-2,200 cases of this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon are produced. The wine is aged in 100% new oak for 30 months. Recent vintages have all been spectacular. In short, attempting to decipher qualitative differences between them is akin to splitting hairs. I just hope that Cabernet lovers have the discretionary income and accessibility to cellar a few bottles."
(Robert M. Parker, Jr., robertparker.com)
97-100/100 WT
"2013 auf der American Beauty satte, üppige Nase mit süßer, generöser Brombeere, unterlegt von Holzkohle-Mineralität und Espresso, auch am Gaumen süße, kräftige, schmelzige Fülle – 97/100. 2014 sehr gefällig und fein mit betörender, geiler Cassisfrucht. Sehr fein, sehr elegant 2015 mit betörender Beerenfrucht und herrlicher Minzfrische, mineralisch, etwa Lakritz, nicht mehr der jugendliche Knaller, einfach perfekt gereifter Kalifornier mit Bordeaux-Anklängen, so unglaublich harmonisch und stimmig, dürfte auf diesem Niveau noch lange bleiben – WT97. Aus perfekt gelagerter OHK 2018 Hillside in Perfektion mit jugendlicher Frische – WT100."
(Achim Becker, wineterminator.com)