This was an extremely hot vintage, with the fruit picked at sugar levels that reached or exceeded 25 degrees brix. The wine is amazingly youthful and tannic, with an opaque ruby/purple color with some lightening at the edge. The port-like nose suggests grapes of exceptional maturity. The 1979 possesses unbelievable intensity, huge body, gobs of blackcurrant and cassis flavors, no noticeable oak, adequate acidity, and tangy tartness and tannin in the long, intense finish. Believe it or not, this wine will benefit from another 2-5 years of cellaring. Assuming it is stored properly, it will continue to evolve for another two decades. It is reminiscent of the 1947-styled heavyweight Pomerols. Amazing!

The 1979 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select reveals compact, slightly herbaceous notes and is a typical so-called “food” wine that was so popular at the time. There is nothing wrong with it, and it is certainly very good to excellent, but it lacks the wow factor.