Shafer Vineyards - Cabernet Sauvignon 'One Point Five' 2023

Shafer Vineyards traces its beginnings to 1972 when John Shafer left a 23-year career in the publishing industry and, with his family, moved to the Napa Valley to pursue a second career in wine. After purchasing a 210-acre estate in Napa Valley's Stags Leap District, the Shafer family faced the arduous task of replanting the existing vineyards, which dated to the 1920s, and terracing the steep and rocky hillsides, eventually expanding vineyard acreage to its current 50 acres. 

Evolving from grape growers to vintners, the Shafers crushed their first Cabernet grapes in 1978 and began construction on their winery a year later. The first Shafer Cabernet became a benchmark, winning the acclaimed San Francisco Vintners Club taste-off upon release and, over a decade later taking first place in an international blind tasting held in Germany, where it outranked such wines as Chateau Margaux, Chateau Latour and Chateau Palmer. 

Doug Shafer became winemaker in 1983 after graduating from the University of California at Davis with a degree in enology and viticulture. A year later Elias Fernandez joined the winery as assistant winemaker. Together Doug and Elias have worked closely to forge the Shafer style of quality, consistency and elegance.

The One Point Five name symbolizes the “generation and a half” that is the working relationship between John Shafer and his son, Doug, which has been in place since 1983. The 100% Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the Estate hillside vineyard and the 'Borderline' vineyard two miles south of the winery, both of which in Stags Leap District. The wine ages for 20 months in 100% new French oak.

Cassis, spring flowers, graphite, and subtle scorched earth notes, as well as some classic Pauillac-like lead pencil notes, all define the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five, a medium to full-bodied, pure, layered, silky barrel sample. - 96 Points, Jeb Dunnuck

The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five is stellar. Deep, pliant and resonant in the glass, the One Point Five has so much to offer. Dark plum, blackberry, menthol and espresso all build effortlessly in the glass. It’s a gorgeous bridge into the flagship Hillside Select. - 94 Points, Vinous

A preview of the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five—still in barrel (100% new French oak)—reveals a wine dominated by black cherries and cassis but with some cool, minty overtones. It's full-bodied and packed with ripe tannins, finishing long and velvety, with hints of mocha-tinged oak. It should be another fine vintage. - 94 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

Producer: Shafer Vineyards

Country: USA

Region: California

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec

Appellation: Napa Valley

Vintage: 2023

Size: 750ml