"The sensational 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five, which is their Stags Leap blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot aged 20 months in 70% new oak barrels, of which half are French and half American. It’s the latter component that surprised me, because whatever American oak they’re using is wonderfully subtle and well-integrated. This wine has an opaque purple color and a beautiful nose of charcoal, graphite, blackberry and an essence of gorgeously pure creme de cassis fruit mixed with spring flowers. With impeccably and flawlessly integrated oak, acidity and tannin, this full-bodied yet elegant and stunning wine is just coming into its plateau of maturity, where it should stay for another 20-25 years. Like the Merlot, this tips the scales at 14.9% alcohol. It is unlikely there is a more consistent winery performing at such a high level of quality than Shafer." - 95/100 Wine Advocate
