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Shafer Vineyards

Napa Valley Merlot

9.1166 ratings
9.118 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

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Shafer VineyardsNapa Valley, CaliforniaMerlot
Top Notes For
Corey Zamora, CSW
9.4

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
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
Kyle Schlachter

Writer Colorado Wine Press

9.1

Blackberry, blueberries, charcoal, cocoa. Rich, dense, long finish. Smooth. For cab drinkers that don't like tannin.

Blackberry, blueberries, charcoal, cocoa. Rich, dense, long finish. Smooth. For cab drinkers that don't like tannin.

2 people found it helpfulMar 1st, 2015
Tracy Hall
9.1

Big. Time will be good for this. Decant or enjoy the second day

Big. Time will be good for this. Decant or enjoy the second day

2 people found it helpfulNov 22nd, 2014
Tom Riley
9.1

So many good things to say about this but the alcohol refused to take a seat despite being asked several times. Structure, fruit, acid -- all delightful. But there's only so many places 15.1% abv can hide. Got one left. We will see in a year or so what's what.

So many good things to say about this but the alcohol refused to take a seat despite being asked several times. Structure, fruit, acid -- all delightful. But there's only so many places 15.1% abv can hide. Got one left. We will see in a year or so what's what.

1 person found it helpfulDec 18th, 2016
Andrew Notarfrancesco
9.1

Great wine good structure with lots of fruit.

Great wine good structure with lots of fruit.

1 person found it helpfulDec 10th, 2016
Andrew S
9.1

A solid merlot. Smooth, sweet, elegant yet complex

A solid merlot. Smooth, sweet, elegant yet complex

1 person found it helpfulNov 30th, 2016
Anna Marie Dos Remedios
9.0

Pretty fabulous!!! Time for Merlot!

Pretty fabulous!!! Time for Merlot!

1 person found it helpfulJan 1st, 2016
Will Atkinson
9.0

So damn perfect. Just flawless almost to a fault.

So damn perfect. Just flawless almost to a fault.

1 person found it helpfulNov 18th, 2015
Tom Riley
9.1

I'm glad I have a few left because as delicious and vibrant as this is, the alcohol and oak are a bit too needy. They REALLY want your attention. My suggestion is to discipline them, make them wait. Little brats need to earn their keep. Tasty stuff. Way too young.

I'm glad I have a few left because as delicious and vibrant as this is, the alcohol and oak are a bit too needy. They REALLY want your attention. My suggestion is to discipline them, make them wait. Little brats need to earn their keep. Tasty stuff. Way too young.

1 person found it helpfulNov 7th, 2015