Celebrating a life’s milestone with ‘95 Shafer Hillside Select

I met ‘95 Shafer Hillside Select for the first time in April, 2013. It was at a tasting with John Shafer and Karen MacNeil (author of the Wine Bible) at Shafer Vineyards in Stags Leap district, Napa Valley, while I was taking a Wine Immersion course at the Culinary Institute of America in Saint Helena, CA.

Shafer Vineyards is claimed as “one of the world’s greatest wineries” by the wine critic, Robert Parker. And, if you have ever tasted Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon, you would also agree that it is indeed the most memorable and delicious wine that will stay in your memory.

I recall the first time I had tasted ‘95 Hillside Select, I was blown away by how expressive the wine was still with brimming scent of dark cherries, plum, sweet spices, and cocoa. On palate, taste of fruit and spice balanced perfectly with fine tannins. Truly sultry and such luxury on the tongue. Finish was long with faint scent of toasted oak and spice.

So it was natural that I was going to celebrate one of my life’s dream of getting published with this wine. A 24 year old Shafer Hillside Select was still true to its form when opened last weekend. Everything I loved about the wine the first time was still there, all in tact. What an amazing privilege it was to celebrate with such an amazing perfection.

If you visit the wine country, a visit to the Shafer Vineyards is a must. You will need to make a reservation in advance for a tasting. I highly recommend it. shafervineyards.com/