TD-9 Napa Valley Red Blend

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!

Had this 1year ago. Founded in 1979 by John Shafer, went from riding trains in Chicago to riding a TD-9 tractor in Napa. Blend of 56%Merlot, 28%Cab Sauv & 16%Malbec, aged for 20 mos French oak, despite 15.3% ABV, it’s well balanced. Wonderful berry fruit aromas, flavors of cherry, jammy blackberry and rasp with notes of cacao and sweet herbs. Lingering finish ending with earthy mineral. Had this with a USDA prime Fillet. Drink now & over next few years, any longer the wine will lose vibrant quality. Nice!

John Shafer founded Shafer in 1979, he went from riding commuter trains in Chicago to riding a TD-9 tractor in Napa. A blend of 56%Merlot, 28%Cab Sauv & 16%Malbec, aged for 20 mos in French oak, despite its 15.3% ABV, it’s well balanced. Wonderful berry fruit aromas, flavors of cherry, jammy blackberry and rasp with notes of cacao and sweet herbs. Lingering finish ending with earthy mineral. Had this with a USDA prime Fillet. Drink now & over next few years, longer the wine will lose its vibrant quality.

Got this wine decanted into my oh so fancy "decanter" and will check back with it in another hour but in the meantime thank you @Paul Treadway Huntington Beacher for helping me get cabby, cab it up and cab away. This is opening up by the minute. This blend is actually more Merlot (56%) than Cabernet Sauvignon (28%) and the rest is Malbec. I'm digging it. So far it is a feast of plums. Red plums, black plums...every plum but a dried plum. The oak is there in the background, charmingly so. The fruit is ripe, the acid, alcohol and tannins are rather elevated. I think it'll age well. Okay, will add details as it decants...okay update: the wine is getting a delicious cocoa to its finish. And there is a wee bit of a cooked blueberry thing hiding in the background. I think this will show well for a good long while. It's got good bones.

It's okay. One point five is better, so I don't know why they decided to make this wine. Different strokes,....

Shafer TD-9 2015. This is a blend of merlot, cabernet, and malbec (56/28/16) and I love it! This is big and jammy like a good merlot should be. The color is moderately dark. The bouquet is blueberry preserves. The initial palate is black currant and blackberries ripe off the vine. The mid palate is oaky slowly opening into a vanilla and buttery dry finish. Just delicious!!!! A bit pricy at 65 dollars a bottle, but Ill buy it again hands down. This is a fantastic bottle of wine. If I could afford it Id buy a case.

Maybe it neEded morE TImE

One of the best ever! Just a beautiful wine.

First time enjoying this bottling. Will go back for more.

Great blend