Very dark crimson. Glowing. Super sweet and ripe – not that appetising. Thick and sweet. Definitely fails the refreshment test! Ink and chocolate-malt cocktail. Tart finish. (JR)

In comparison to the more lavish, sexy 2002, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is more structured and focused, with incredible purity in its cassis and darker currant fruits as well as complex notes of minty herbs, lead pencil shavings, licorice, graphite, and spring flowers. Reminding me of a great vintage of Château Mouton Rothschild with its concentration, structure, and balance, it’s just now at the early stages of its prime drink window, and it will continue to improve for another decade and hold for 20-25 years thereafter.

A remarkable wine, the 2010 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select has gone from strength to strength since it was in cask. It is stunningly rich, with classic, fragrant notes of blackcurrants, blackberries, vanilla, graphite and spring flowers. It exhibits an opaque purple color, with a full-bodied, massive mouthfeel, but no heaviness, and again, a flawless integration of acidity, tannin, alcohol and wood. It’s classic California Cabernet, but beautifully put together, showing impeccable craftsmanship and fabulous potential. This is obviously a very young, infantile style of Cabernet that won’t hit its prime for at least another decade and last close to half a century, based on how older vintages that were less well-endowed have matured from Shafer.Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #216, Dec 2014)