Shafer Vineyards
2017 Napa Valley TD-9 2016 Napa Stags Leap District One Point Five
Continuing on with my Shafer Vineyards visit, see my November 6, 2019 review of their 2017 Napa Carneros Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay and 2016 Napa Relentless together with some of its history. Keep checking back with SippingFineWine.com as I recently made a trip to Napa during 2019 harvest, visited several wineries, tasted some great wines, and met some outstanding individuals. I’ll continue to report on my discoveries.
Shafer Vineyards also has a “Mailing List” you can join in order to purchase their wines and also get on the waiting list on limited production wines. I recommend to check out their availability, click this link “MailingListLink” to go to their site and sign-up! If you find your travels to Napa, I recommend a visit to their elegant Napa winery.
Shafer 2017 Napa Valley TD-9
TD-9 is a red blend that celebrates a bold move. In 1973 John Shafer went from taking morning commuter trains in Chicago to teaching himself to drive an old TD-9 tractor in Napa Valley. He never grew grapes or made wine in his life, that spirit of risk-taking continues to inspire Shafer Wines. TD-9 is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec.
The ’17 is a blend of a blend of 62% Merlot, 22% Malbec and 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22 months on new French oak. Deep Ruby with aromas of red fruits, baking spice and fragrant sweet scents. On the palate flavors of black cherry and sweet plums with cinnamon, licorice and wafts of cacao. Good acidity, firm ripe dusty tannins, well balanced, long finish ending with fruit, tobacco and earthy character. Outstanding!
Shafer 2016 Napa Stags Leap District One Point Five
In early 1983, Doug Shafer entered the family winery for the first time as winemaker, five years after Doug’s father, John, produced his first wine, a 1978 Cabernet Sauvignon, which been on the market about 18 months. The father-and-son team was the start of a working relationship, lasting more than 30 years, a partnership embedded in the name One Point Five. John and Doug eventually coined the term “a generation and a half” to differentiate theirs from a traditional second-generation story.
This is Shafer’s first vintage of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, Deep Ruby with big fruit aromas of ripe black and red fruits with some floral and herbaceous notes. On the palate this wine delivers fresh blackberry, currants and complex flavors of espresso, mint and savory cinnamon. Long opulent finish, well balanced with acidity, ending with fruit, toasty vanilla oak and earthy character. Wonderful!
Cheers!