Napa treasures

Fifteen magnums of Shafer Vineyards’ Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon have topped a rare ex-cellar auction of Napa Valley library wines.

The Shafer collection, spanning every vintage between 2000 and 2014 inclusive, fetched US$ 42,000 (£30,000) in the sale organised by Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) and hosted by Zachys.

Three lots sold for $ 40,000 each, including: five six-litre ‘imperials’ of Opus One across five decades; a 10-magnum cache of Bryant Estate Cabernet Sauvignon from

2005 to 2014 inclusive; and a magnum each of Screaming Eagle’s 2015-vintage flagship Cabernet, The Flight bottling and Sauvignon Blanc.

Other highlights included five magnums of Harlan Estate from vintages rated 100pts by Robert Parker Jr (sold for $24,000), and a single 12-litre bottle of Sloan Estate 2012 ($ 15,000). Almost 500 bidders from 12 countries competed for 96 lots. Auction proceeds, totalling $933,000, will help to ‘promote, protect and enhance’ Napa Valley, said NVV.

This year’s Premiere Napa Valley barrel auction will be held from 1-5 June 2021.