2017 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five
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Tasting notes
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five is a great success in the vintage and not far off the brilliant 2016. Blackcurrants, graphite, scorched earth, and tobacco notes all define the nose, and it's full-bodied, with a layered, elegant mouthfeel and outstanding length. It has ripe, building tannins (which are more polished now than just over a year ago), terrific balance, and the class to evolve for another 10-15 years.
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five is dense, plush and creamy. Super-ripe dark cherry, cloves, menthol, licorice and earthy notes give the 2017 a distinctly dark, exotic feel. Plush and generous on the palate with sweet, silky tannins, the 2017 is a big wine that will drink well right out of the gate. I wouldn't push my luck on aging here, though.
Made up of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec and 2% Merlot, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five is deep garnet-purple colored with pronounced crème de cassis, blackberry pie and Black Forest cake notes with a waft of bay leaves, cigar box, tar and smoked meats. The palate is full-bodied, firm and chewy with a taut, muscular mid-palate and an herb-lifted finish.
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five is bold and immediate. Today, most of the wine's intensity is up-front, but the tannins are presently constricting the mid-palate and finish. It will be interesting to see where this goes over the next year or two.