Wine

Item Description

This package includes a mixed case of wines from Shafer. 6 Bottles of 2014 Chardonnay and 6 bottles of 2015 Napa Valley TD-9 ( A Red Blend comprised of 56% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Malbec)

2015 Shafer "TD-9" Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend
94 points Wine Enthusiast  This is a new offering from the producer, sparked by winemaker Elias Fernandez’s desire to make a Merlot-based blend, rather than a varietal Merlot. It is an estate-grown blend of 56% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Malbec. Rich and concentrated, it’s delightfully robust and vibrant, offering a mix of blackberry, blueberry and caramel chocolate flavors that finish in soft, integrated oak. *Editors’ Choice* (VB)   (3/2018)

93 points Vinous  An addition to the range, the 2015 TD-9 is a big, full-throttle wine. Merlot is at the core of TD-9, but Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec play important roles in the blend too. A rush of dark red cherry, pomegranate, spice and lavender lead into the voluptuous, racy finish. There is still some tannin that needs time to resolve, but this is a fabulous debut from Shafer. The TD-9 replaces the Merlot in the Shafer lineup and looks like it will be a more ambitious wine. The name is taken after the TD-9 tractor John Shafer drove in his early days in Napa Valley. (AG)   (1/2018)

92 points Wine Spectator  Powerful and finely textured, with concentrated dried cherry, dark currant and roasted plum flavors that are filled with lively minerality. Richly spiced, showing dried herbal notes on the chiseled finish. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Drink now through 2022. (KM, Web Only-2017) 

91 points Jeb Dunnuck  A blend of 56% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Malbec, the 2015 TD-9 Proprietary Red Blend is a perfumed, seamless, even elegant, 2015 that gives up lots of blue fruits, spice-box, dried flowers, and incense aromas and flavors. Charming, light on its feet, and with the forward, sexy fruit of this great vintage, drink it anytime over the coming decade.   (12/2017)

91 points James Suckling  A pretty wine with blueberry and blackberry. Hints of flowers and stone. Medium to full body, round and juicy. Easy. A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec.   (12/2017)

K&L NotesA blend of 56% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Malbec aged 20 months in French oak barrels (100% new).

2014 Shafer "Red Shoulder Ranch" Carneros Chardonnay
95 points James Suckling  Sliced green mango and lemon aromas, hints of flan and creme. Full body, very intense creamy texture and tangy acidity. Long and powerful finish. Electric. A great Napa Chardonnay. Drink or hold   (3/2017)

93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate  First, their non-malolactic 2014 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch comes from a cool-climate vineyard in Carneros. This is aged in 75% oak casks and 25% stainless steel, which seems to be the perfect marriage for showcasing this wine’s rich fruit. The wine has loads of tangerine oil, citrus blossom, a hint of apples and orange marmalade. The oak is subtle, the wine medium to full-bodied, pure and rich. (This is the official tasting note, but I shared two bottles with some friends of mine at the casual Market restaurant in St. Helena, and it was a huge hit.) (RP) There are very few wineries in California where you can say that the original wine owners and winemaking staff are totally intact and have been, in this case, since 1978. The estate was founded by John Shafer and run with great precision by himself and more recently by his son Doug and Elias Fernandez. The team has been working together for 38 years since the first vintage in 1978. Six years earlier in 1972, John Shafer bought the property and established the vineyard in the hillsides of Stags Leap. They produce about 30,000 cases of wine – all of it noteworthy. Their Cabernet Sauvignon is true first-growth quality and their Rhône Ranger wine made from Syrah and Petite Sirah, called Relentless, is about as profound as you can get from those varietals. (RP)   (10/2016)

93 points Wine Enthusiast  This marquee estate site supplies yet another gorgeous vintage of this powerful white, which opens with a crisp aroma of orange blossom. It follows in to the full-bodied palate, alongside layers of pear, pineapple and melon, all kept fresh by juicy acidity amid bites of oak and baking spice. (VB)   (10/2016)

93 points Wine Spectator  Elegance and finesse define the pear, melon and honeysuckle flavors, which are lingering and persistent. The creamy texture features a touch of pithy citrus skin, adding to the nuance and complexity. Drink now through 2022. (JL)   (8/2016)

92 points Vinous  Shafer's 2014 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch is powerful, rich and ample, with impeccable balance and class. Lemon confit, white flowers and mint are some of the nuances that are laced together. The warm, dry year produced an unctuous, oily Chardonnay, despite the malolactic fermentation having been blocked. The 2014 was done 75% in oak and 25% in steel. (AG)   (12/2016)

K&L NotesShafer's Carneros Chardonnay was whole-cluster pressed, barrel-fermented with wild yeast in 75% oak and 25% stainless steel, and aged for 14 months. The wine skipped malolactic fermentation, and retains all of its natural acidity. Shafer thought that the red-shouldered hawks performed such a valuable service in their sustainably farmed vineyards that they named this one for them.

Item Special Note

Shipping costs are the responsibility of the buyer.