Wine Advisor
Shafer, One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
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Description
One Point Five celebrates lasting bonds, taking its name from the term “a generation and a half,” once coined by John and Doug Shafer to describe their long, accomplished father-and-son partnership. These two worked side by side for decades leading our Stags Leap District winery, always with a spirit of energy and teamwork that continues to inspire everything we do at Shafer today. One Point Five is an elegant, silky Cabernet Sauvignon with soft tannins and abundant fruit that is approachable when young, yet capable of aging gracefully. This wine reflects the climate and soils of our Stags Leap District vineyard sites and Shafer’s commitment to meticulous, sustainable farming and quality winemaking.
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
Shafer's Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five is bright and punchy in 2018, with striking floral accents that give lift. In most vintages, the One Point Five is a bit more exuberant, but what impresses me about the 2018 is its finesse. Silky tannins wrap around a core of red/purplish berry fruit as the wine fleshes out over time. Best of all, the 2018 will drink well right out of the gate.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five is shaping up to be fabulous. Bright, floral and punchy with terrific energy, the 2018 has so much to offer. Super-ripe red and purplish berry fruit, lavender, mint and sweet spice all abound in this pliant, beautifully layered Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2018 is a gorgeous wine in the making - that's all there is to it.
About the Producer
John Shafer, the founder of Shafer Vineyards, was a vice president of a Chicago publishing company when he left his 23-year career in publishing in mid-life. For 35 years, he and his son Doug have run the winery, which has earned a reputation as "one of the best wines in Napa". Today, Sifford is considered to be a full-scale winery, having expanded over the years to over 80 hectares of vineyards. Today, Sifford produces red and white wines with an annual production of 360,000 bottles. Located in the Stag's Leap AVA, the vineyards of Sifford Vineyards are situated in the southeast of Oakville in the middle of Napa Velley, with the Vaca Mountains to the east and the rolling hills and Napa Valley to the west, hence the name "Valley within a Valley". The soil of Deerleap is divided into two types, a volcanic ash layer to the east and a river alluvium layer to the west, consisting of more fertile soils with sub-clay. The vineyards are planted mainly with Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. The location on the hillside means that the sunshine, the oceanic fog streams in the evening and the cool nights are ideal for perfect ripening of the grapes. Standing at the foot of the hill and looking upwards, the vineyards slope downwards and, because of the steepness of the slope, the vines need to grow downwards in a desperate attempt to root, allowing the grapes to gain more nutrients and flavour. The long growing period means that the grapes ripen better, with smaller grains and lower yields, resulting in a richer flavour. In order to save energy and reduce the greenhouse effect on the atmosphere, Château Sèvres has installed solar power and does not use the electricity grid at all. In addition, the winery has been growing its grapes organically since the 1980s. The Shafer, Stag's Leap District Hillside Select is one of the top wines of the estate and one that has put it among the top wines in the world. Made from the ripest, most perfect Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, the wine is fermented and then matured for 2-3 years in new oak barrels. The wine has a concentrated fruitiness, heavy tannins and a majestic presence. Since 1990, Château Sifford's Deer Leap Mountain Selection has never scored low with the major names, with Parker rating it 100 and 99 points in 2002 and 2001 respectively, and 94-97, 95-97, 97 and 95 points in 2006, 2005, 2004 and 2003 respectively.
