Shafer Vineyards – Hillside Select 2003 – Napa Valley

Shafer Vineyards – Hillside Select 2003 – Napa Valley

Name: Shafer Vineyards
Vintage: 2003
Wine: Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California, USA
Grape Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol Content: Approx. 15%
Bottle Size: 750ml
Rating: Robert Parker (RP) 95

Tasting Notes

The Hillside Select 2003 from Shafer Vineyards is a rich, opulent, and beautifully textured Cabernet Sauvignon, offering the power and polish that have made this cuvée a Napa Valley benchmark.
It opens with deep and complex aromas of blackberry liqueur, cassis, espresso, graphite, and violet, layered with hints of cedar, chocolate, and crushed stone.

On the palate, it is full-bodied, dense, and seamless, delivering an explosion of ripe black fruits, mocha, licorice, and mineral flavors wrapped in silky, perfectly integrated tannins.
The balance between richness and freshness is exceptional, leading to a long, velvety finish with notes of spice and dark chocolate.

This 2003 vintage captures the signature style of Hillside Select — power, elegance, and extraordinary depth — making it one of the standout wines of the early 2000s.

Vintage Highlights

The 2003 growing season in Napa Valley was warm and dry, resulting in small, intensely flavored berries and naturally concentrated wines.
The rocky, volcanic slopes of the Stags Leap District provided superb drainage and structure, allowing the fruit to achieve ripeness without losing acidity.
Aged for 32 months in 100% new French oak, the wine gained luxurious texture, aromatic complexity, and aging potential.

✔ 95 points Robert Parker – “A full-bodied, decadent Cabernet with remarkable balance and persistence.”
✔ 100% estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon from the Stags Leap hillsides
✔ Classic Napa opulence with superb finesse and harmony
✔ Built for longevity — capable of evolving gracefully for 20+ years

Why It’s Special

Hillside Select 2003 represents the pinnacle of Shafer’s craftsmanship, uniting meticulous vineyard care with precise cellar work.
It showcases the essence of Stags Leap — refined structure, luxurious texture, and purity of fruit — earning its place among California’s most collectible wines.
A masterful balance of intensity and elegance, it stands as a defining vintage for Shafer’s legacy.

Storage & Serving

Store in a temperature-controlled environment with stable humidity.
Ideal serving temperature: 16–18°C (60–65°F).
Decant for 1–2 hours before serving to allow full aromatic development.

Availability

The Hillside Select 2003 was produced in limited quantities and is now a highly sought-after collector’s wine.
All bottles offered by Deggusto are professionally cellared, sourced directly, and available for immediate and secure shipment.

💎 Secure your bottle of this powerful and timeless 2003 Napa Valley classic today!