- Last updated on February 15, 2023
Welcome! This is our Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon review.
Indulge in the essence of a luxurious cabernet sauvignon with Shafer Hillside Select.
This esteemed Napa Valley winery presents a captivating wine that is brimming with rich flavors, elegant tannins, and an opulent texture.
Take a journey through the winding hillsides and exquisite flavors of this top-of-the-line wine that is sure to leave your palate craving more.
Find below our Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon review along with our food pairings recommendations, serving tips, curiosity, and where you can buy it.
Let’s begin!
Our Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon Review
- Brand: Hope
- Grape Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
- Region: United States, Stages Leap District
- Tasting Notes: Blackberry & Blackcherry fruit notes
- Glass & Serving: Bordeaux / 59-64 °F (15-18 °C) / Decant ~1hr
- Storage: 10+ years
- Price Range: ~$350-$400
- Bottle Size: 750 ml
Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon review: What's its color?
Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon wine has a deep, dark purple with a crimson rim and fat slow falling legs.
If you want to know more about how to taste wine and the lingo that goes with it, check out this article: How To Taste Wine Like a Pro in 4 Steps.
Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon review: What are the flavors?
Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon is entirely made from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and aged 32 months in 100% new 60-gallon French oak barrels.
On the nose, is opulent and complex with aromas of dark fruit, including blackberry, black cherry, and cassis, complemented by secondary notes of vanilla, earth and baking spices.
As the wine opens up, more subtle notes of lavender, leather, and earthy undertones come through.
On the palate, is full-bodied rich, yet balanced, with ripe tannins and a smooth, velvety texture.
The flavors echo the aromas, with a burst of dark fruit and oak-driven spices leading the way.
Blackberry and cassis dominate, with nuances of mocha, vanilla, and a touch of smoke.
The wine has a long, persistent finish that leaves a pleasing impression of fruit and spice.
The balance between acidity, tannins, and fruit is well-judged, making this wine a great candidate for aging.
Is Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon wine sweet?
No, it’s not sweet. Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon wine is a dry wine.
Dry wine contains less than 15 g/L.
Learn more about wine sweetness level here.
Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon review: Which food pairs well with it?
The robust flavors of Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon make it an excellent pairing for hearty meat dishes such as steak, lamb, and venison.
The wine’s acidity and tannins also make it a good match for tomato-based pasta dishes, roasted vegetables, and rich cheese plates.
Some vegeterian options are grilled polenta with mushroom ragout, wild mushroom risotto, and eggplant parmesan.
Cheese lovers go for aged cheeses like cheddar, Gouda, or blue cheese.
Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon review: What's its alcohol content?
Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon wine’s alcohol content is 15.5%.
In case you wonder about alcohol content or more precisely Alcohol By Volume, i.e. ABV, measure the alcoholic strength of a drink.
There is a direct relationship between the sugar left in the wine after the alcoholic fermentation has taken place, i.e. Residual Sugar or RS, and ABV.
During alcoholic fermentation, the yeast transforms the sugar in the grape juice into alcohol.
Grapes with high residual sugar will therefore produce dry wine with a high ABV.
How many calories are in a glass of Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon wine?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture [1] a 5-ounce glass will contain about 120 to 130 calories.
Alcohol contains 7 calories per gram. So a wine with high ABV will have higher calories per glass than wine with low ABV.
Furthermore, sugar contributes to the calorie count.
A dry wine will usually have 4 calories per gram vs a sweet wine that will have around 20 calories per gram of carbs, which include sugar.
What is Shafer?
Here is an extract from the Shafer website:
“The Hope family has been farming in Paso Robles for more than 30 years.
When they arrived in this barely-discovered region, they planted apples and grapes.
Little did they know that the rolling, oak-studded terrain of Paso Robles would one day become a viticultural terroir of significance and one of the top winegrowing regions for quality red wine within the Central Coast.”
Conclusion
Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon is a true masterpiece of Napa Valley winemaking, offering a beautiful blend of deep flavors, elegant tannins, and a velvety texture that lingers long after the last sip.
Whether you are looking to savor it on its own or pair it with a delicious meal, this wine is the perfect choice for those who appreciate the finest things in life.
Experience the magic of Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon today and elevate your wine-drinking experience to new heights.
Once you had it, we’d love to know your opinion, so reach out and let’s know what you think! Enjoy!
