Shafer Vineyards

Napa Valley Merlot

9.1767 ratings
9.1101 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Merlot
Beef, Venison, Salami & Prosciutto, Chili & Hot Spicy, Potato, Exotic Spices, Lamb, White Rice, Baking Spices, Herbs, Pasta, Chicken, Mushrooms, Pungent Cheese, Turkey, Tomato-Based, Soft Cheese, Pork, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Duck, Onion, Shallot, Garlic
Top Notes For
"Odedi"

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!

This is a delicious Merlot from Napa Valley. Soft and elegant. Smooth and fruit forward.

Dry and very fruity on the palate with medium acidity.

Showing black plums, black currants, coffee, oak, cloves, cedar, licorice, light vanilla, tobacco leaf, earth, dark coffee, chocolates and peppercorn.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.

This 2014 vintage is drinking wonderfully now, and this wine is a good example of it. Showing nice complexity with a nice mouthfeel.

Needs a couple of hours to open up properly, but good right out of the bottle too.

I had this vintage 6 years ago, but it was not ready at all. Was unbalanced and a little austere. Right now, it is a wonderful wine that's at its peak, and will continue to drink nicely in the next few years.

Easy drinking, spicy and entertaining.

Robert Parker 92 points. Wine Enthusiasts 93 points.

Good by itself or with food. I paired it Meatloaf and mashed potatoes.

A blend of 78% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Malbec. Aged for 20 months in mostly new French oak barrels.

15.3% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$60.

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!

This is a delicious Merlot from Napa Valley. Soft and elegant. Smooth and fruit forward.

Dry and very fruity on the palate with medium acidity.

Showing black plums, black currants, coffee, oak, cloves, cedar, licorice, light vanilla, tobacco leaf, earth, dark coffee, chocolates and peppercorn.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.

This 2014 vintage is drinking wonderfully now, and this wine is a good example of it. Showing nice complexity with a nice mouthfeel.

Needs a couple of hours to open up properly, but good right out of the bottle too.

I had this vintage 6 years ago, but it was not ready at all. Was unbalanced and a little austere. Right now, it is a wonderful wine that's at its peak, and will continue to drink nicely in the next few years.

Easy drinking, spicy and entertaining.

Robert Parker 92 points. Wine Enthusiasts 93 points.

Good by itself or with food. I paired it Meatloaf and mashed potatoes.

A blend of 78% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Malbec. Aged for 20 months in mostly new French oak barrels.

15.3% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$60.

Jan 26th, 2023
Weijie Shi (Jay)

Rich and concentrated. Well integrated oak. Coffee, mocha, dark chocolate, red cherry and plum. Intensive mouthfeel. Chewy tannins

Rich and concentrated. Well integrated oak. Coffee, mocha, dark chocolate, red cherry and plum. Intensive mouthfeel. Chewy tannins

Dec 18th, 2017
Sipping Fine Wine

John Shafer and his family founded Shafer Vineyards, located in the Stags Leap District of the Napa Valley. A blend of 84% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon & 8% Malbec. Aromas of fresh berry fruit, some spice and jammy notes. On the palate full blackberry and blue fruit flavors, notes of cacao and coffee with savory spice on firm tannins, a powerhouse! Lingering finish ending with pepper spice, Wow! A must try!! Still has room to age.

John Shafer and his family founded Shafer Vineyards, located in the Stags Leap District of the Napa Valley. A blend of 84% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon & 8% Malbec. Aromas of fresh berry fruit, some spice and jammy notes. On the palate full blackberry and blue fruit flavors, notes of cacao and coffee with savory spice on firm tannins, a powerhouse! Lingering finish ending with pepper spice, Wow! A must try!! Still has room to age.

Dec 9th, 2017
Saul Gropman

Owner/Operator Cafe La Haye

9.0

Classic cherry & cocoa!

Classic cherry & cocoa!

Sep 29th, 2017
Brian S

Raspberry, blackberry, herbs and spice.

Raspberry, blackberry, herbs and spice.

Sep 21st, 2017
Corey Zamora, CSW

Outstanding. Gobs of fruit, but still keeps the body and mouthfeel of merlot. Just terrific.

Outstanding. Gobs of fruit, but still keeps the body and mouthfeel of merlot. Just terrific.

6 people found it helpfulOct 31st, 2014
Donald Patz

Owner/Winemaker Patz & Hall

9.5

And only 15% alcohol!

And only 15% alcohol!

5 people found it helpfulFeb 16th, 2013
Kaitlin Ohlinger

Merlot's higher self in action.

Merlot's higher self in action.

4 people found it helpfulSep 20th, 2014
Jimmy Smith

Director, West and North London Wine School

8.9

Lovely forward spiced plum, damson and black cherry. Light sweet spice, good soft vanilla oak. Light grip, full but soft, needs a little time to resolve, sweet vanilla finish. Good.

Lovely forward spiced plum, damson and black cherry. Light sweet spice, good soft vanilla oak. Light grip, full but soft, needs a little time to resolve, sweet vanilla finish. Good.

2 people found it helpfulJun 10th, 2015
M. Ventre

Opulent lush Merlot character, loads of oak.. But great structure on this to support it... Love the acid on this..

Opulent lush Merlot character, loads of oak.. But great structure on this to support it... Love the acid on this..

2 people found it helpfulMar 15th, 2015