Shafer Hillside Select: the great 2023

'A wine of total sophistication and polish'

'Longtime winemaker Elias Fernandez has quietly and discreetly updated Shafer such that it is now one of the most contemporary wineries in Napa Valley. That is quite a feat.' — Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, November 2025

Five decades after John Shafer planted himself and his family in the Napa Valley, Shafer Vineyards is widely regarded as one of America's great wineries. Shafer occupies prime vineyard sites on the steep, rugged, volcanic slopes of Stags Leap. The style has here always been about maximising quality, with top-quality vine material and low fertility sites leading to low yields of small, intensely concentrated grapes. Winemaker Elias Fernandez joined Shafer in 1984, and has now worked over 40 vintages there. That hasn't stopped him innovating: recent tweaks in the vineyard and the winery have seen increasing freshness and vigour express themselves through the lush Napa fruit. In the recent words of Antonio Galloni, it's 'quite a feat'.

Above all, Shafer is known for Hillside Select, one of California's defining wines. This is pure Cabernet Sauvignon produced from the best blocks around the winery, the sites that originally drew John Shafer to the valley. It is always a dense and complex wine, with sumptuous fruit and imposing tannins set against a fiery, savoury, mineral bass note from the volcanic soils. 2023 was a brilliant vintage in Napa, with a cool season leading to a long hang time for the grapes. That has led to an exceptional Hillside Select. Not only that. In response to a challenging market, Hillside Select comes to market with the lowest release price since the 2017 vintage.

Also in the portfolio, from Carneros in Napa’s cool south-eastern corner comes the zesty, high-energy, citrus-and-stonefruit Red Shoulder Chardonnay. Shafer make a Merlot of uncommon distinction and polish from the Vaca Mountain School Bus vineyard. TD-9 is a Cabernet-led blend (the name alludes to the brand of tractor John Shafer drove when he arrived in the valley in the early 1970s). One Point Five is what Shafer call their 'signature' Cabernet, produced from across the best of their estate vineyards. And Relentless is a blend of Syrah and Petite Sirah, named as a tribute to Elias Fernandez and his relentless pursuit of quality. Syrah loves the volcanic soils of Stag's Leap. /NT

Offered subject to remaining unsold. Wines available spring 2027.To place an order, click on the wines below or call 020 7638 5998