The Stags Leap District in Napa is truly one of the most consistent and alluring Cabernet Sauvignon regions in all of California, and Shafer Vineyards has long helped to keep Cabernet at its rightful prominent in this AVA. Silky and velvety with mild tannic structure, the 2015 iteration of Shafer’s One Point Five starts off with a noticeable burst of riper red fruit at the beginning, followed by blackberry, black cherry, boysenberry, with strains of plum, cracked black peppercorn, chaparral, herbal notes, cedar, and muted vanilla. This is a wine that fills the palate, not merely passes through it. Comprising Cabernet Sauvignon with 7% Merlot and 3% Malbec added in, the wine spent 20 months in all new French oak barrels. Though this can easily age for at least a decade, it’s also built for consuming now and will work with a variety of diverse foods given its agile framework.
Score: 92 Points
What’s Its SRP? $95/ 750ML
What Can I Pair it With? Prime rib with garlic butter, honey and coriander glazed roasted duck, Porcini and Chanterelle risotto.
9,000 cases
Where Can I Find It? www.shafervineyards.com
