Shafer Vineyards
TD-9 Napa Valley Red Blend
Napa Valley, California, USA
The ’18 is a blend of a blend of 56% Merlot, 21% Malbec, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22 months on new French oak, blend changes each year. Deep Ruby with aromas of red fruits, sweet spice and smoky oak scents. On the palate flavors of black cherry, blueberry and plums with vanilla, licorice and cacao, lively acidity. Fine ripe round tannins, well balanced, long finish ending with fruit, tobacco and toasty earthy character. Outstanding!
The ’18 is a blend of a blend of 56% Merlot, 21% Malbec, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22 months on new French oak, blend changes each year. Deep Ruby with aromas of red fruits, sweet spice and smoky oak scents. On the palate flavors of black cherry, blueberry and plums with vanilla, licorice and cacao, lively acidity. Fine ripe round tannins, well balanced, long finish ending with fruit, tobacco and toasty earthy character. Outstanding!
May 13th, 2023The ’19 is a blend of a blend of 37% Merlot, 11% Malbec, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, rest Petit Verdot, 22 months on new French oak. Deep Ruby with aromas of red fruits, herb spice and smoky oak scents. On the palate flavors of black cherry and plums with cinnamon, licorice and cacao, lively acidity. Fine ripe round tannins, well balanced, long finish ending with fruit, tobacco and earthy character. Outstanding!
The ’19 is a blend of a blend of 37% Merlot, 11% Malbec, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, rest Petit Verdot, 22 months on new French oak. Deep Ruby with aromas of red fruits, herb spice and smoky oak scents. On the palate flavors of black cherry and plums with cinnamon, licorice and cacao, lively acidity. Fine ripe round tannins, well balanced, long finish ending with fruit, tobacco and earthy character. Outstanding!
Jan 1st, 2023Founded in 1979 by John Shafer, went from riding trains in Chicago to riding a TD-9 tractor in Napa, thus the name. Blend of 56% Merlot, 28% Cab Sauv & 16% Malbec, aged for 20 mos French oak, well balanced. Deep Ruby with berry fruit aromas, spice and cedar. Palate flavors of cherry, ripe blackberry and raspberry with notes of cacao and sweet herbs. Long finish ending with earthy mineral character. Drinking well now, will age. Nice!
Founded in 1979 by John Shafer, went from riding trains in Chicago to riding a TD-9 tractor in Napa, thus the name. Blend of 56% Merlot, 28% Cab Sauv & 16% Malbec, aged for 20 mos French oak, well balanced. Deep Ruby with berry fruit aromas, spice and cedar. Palate flavors of cherry, ripe blackberry and raspberry with notes of cacao and sweet herbs. Long finish ending with earthy mineral character. Drinking well now, will age. Nice!
Apr 14th, 2021
The 2018 TD-9, Shafer's Merlot-based blend, is just as delicious from bottle as it was from barrel. Succulent dark red cherry/red plum fruit, licorice, spice, lavender and dried herbs are front and center. Readers will find a gorgeous 2018 that is ready to deliver plenty of pleasure from the get-go. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2021)
The 2018 TD-9, Shafer's Merlot-based blend, is just as delicious from bottle as it was from barrel. Succulent dark red cherry/red plum fruit, licorice, spice, lavender and dried herbs are front and center. Readers will find a gorgeous 2018 that is ready to deliver plenty of pleasure from the get-go. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2021)
Founded in 1979 by John Shafer, went from riding trains in Chicago to riding a TD-9 tractor in Napa. Blend of 58% Merlot, 26% Cab Sauv & 16% Malbec, aged for 20 mos French oak, despite 15.3% ABV, it’s well balanced. Deep Ruby, beautiful berry fruit aromas, notes of herbs, toasty oak & spice. On the palate flavors of cherry & jammy blackberry with notes of cacao, baking spice & sweet herbs. Fine smooth tannins, long finish ending with fruit & tobacco notes. Great now, will also age for a few years. Nice!
Founded in 1979 by John Shafer, went from riding trains in Chicago to riding a TD-9 tractor in Napa. Blend of 58% Merlot, 26% Cab Sauv & 16% Malbec, aged for 20 mos French oak, despite 15.3% ABV, it’s well balanced. Deep Ruby, beautiful berry fruit aromas, notes of herbs, toasty oak & spice. On the palate flavors of cherry & jammy blackberry with notes of cacao, baking spice & sweet herbs. Fine smooth tannins, long finish ending with fruit & tobacco notes. Great now, will also age for a few years. Nice!
Jan 11th, 2021Founded in 1979 by John Shafer, went from riding trains in Chicago to riding a TD-9 tractor in Napa. Blend of 58% Merlot, 26% Cab Sauv & 16% Malbec, aged for 20 mos French oak, despite 15.3% ABV, it’s well balanced. Deep Ruby, beautiful berry fruit aromas, notes of herbs, toasty oak & spice. On the palate flavors of cherry & jammy blackberry with notes of cacao, baking spice & sweet herbs. Fine smooth tannins, long finish ending with fruit & tobacco notes. Great now, will also age for a few years. Nice!
Founded in 1979 by John Shafer, went from riding trains in Chicago to riding a TD-9 tractor in Napa. Blend of 58% Merlot, 26% Cab Sauv & 16% Malbec, aged for 20 mos French oak, despite 15.3% ABV, it’s well balanced. Deep Ruby, beautiful berry fruit aromas, notes of herbs, toasty oak & spice. On the palate flavors of cherry & jammy blackberry with notes of cacao, baking spice & sweet herbs. Fine smooth tannins, long finish ending with fruit & tobacco notes. Great now, will also age for a few years. Nice!
Dec 15th, 2020Founded in 1979 by John Shafer, went from riding trains in Chicago to riding a TD-9 tractor in Napa. Blend of 58% Merlot, 26% Cab Sauv & 16% Malbec, aged for 20 mos French oak, despite 15.3% ABV, it’s well balanced. Deep Ruby, beautiful berry fruit aromas, notes of herbs, toasty oak & spice. On the palate flavors of cherry & jammy blackberry with notes of cacao, baking spice & sweet herbs. Fine smooth tannins, long finish ending with fruit & tobacco notes. Great now, will also age for a few years. Nice!
Founded in 1979 by John Shafer, went from riding trains in Chicago to riding a TD-9 tractor in Napa. Blend of 58% Merlot, 26% Cab Sauv & 16% Malbec, aged for 20 mos French oak, despite 15.3% ABV, it’s well balanced. Deep Ruby, beautiful berry fruit aromas, notes of herbs, toasty oak & spice. On the palate flavors of cherry & jammy blackberry with notes of cacao, baking spice & sweet herbs. Fine smooth tannins, long finish ending with fruit & tobacco notes. Great now, will also age for a few years. Nice!
Nov 2nd, 2020Silky tannins, dark fruit with a medium plus finish. The alcohol is high. That wound suggest RS around 8-10grams per liter
Silky tannins, dark fruit with a medium plus finish. The alcohol is high. That wound suggest RS around 8-10grams per liter
Aug 14th, 2020Beautifully aromatic showing blueberries so I though it might have a fair amount of Malbec. Texture is supple yet there is a bit of a grip. A little astringent. A nice sipping wine and pairs nicely with our rib eye too! TD-9 is named for the tractor John Shafer drive in the vineyards. May he rest In peace.
62%Merlot, 22%Malbec, 16%Cabernet Sauvignon
Beautifully aromatic showing blueberries so I though it might have a fair amount of Malbec. Texture is supple yet there is a bit of a grip. A little astringent. A nice sipping wine and pairs nicely with our rib eye too! TD-9 is named for the tractor John Shafer drive in the vineyards. May he rest In peace.
62%Merlot, 22%Malbec, 16%Cabernet Sauvignon
opaque, inky purple, very prominent tears; dark berries, smoke, coffee, violets; soft, very juicy, a bit lighter than expected in midpalate, some heat on the finish, 15.3% ABV; blend of 62% Merlot, 22% Malbec, and 16% Cabernet Sauvignon; p$57
opaque, inky purple, very prominent tears; dark berries, smoke, coffee, violets; soft, very juicy, a bit lighter than expected in midpalate, some heat on the finish, 15.3% ABV; blend of 62% Merlot, 22% Malbec, and 16% Cabernet Sauvignon; p$57
May 19th, 2020