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Shafer Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot 2012
Shafer makes one of California's finest Merlots. Sourced from a Yountville vineyard site and another in the foothills just south of Stag's Leap, Shafer reduced the crop more than usual in the cool 2012 vintage in order to harvest fine clusters with developed color and flavor. The wine was aged for 20 months in 75% new French oak and the wine is complemented by 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Malbec. The Shafer 2012 Merlot Napa Valley is rich purple, reflecting the vintage, and offers lush, focused flavors and aromas of bright cherries, strawberry, red and black plums, and cranberry.92 Points Wine Spectator: "Sleek and supple, this is exactly the style of Merlot that made the wine so popular. Floral red currant and cinnamon spice aromas lead to rich, ripe flavors of black cherry and toasty oak, with a hint of earth. Drink now through 2020."
Ratings on Delectable
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.
9.4Jimmy Smith
Director, West and North London Wine School
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.
8.9
Kyle Schlachter
Writer Colorado Wine Press
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.
9.1
Tracy Hall
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
9.1
Tom Riley
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.
9.1
Andrew Notarfrancesco
Great wine good structure with lots of fruit.
Great wine good structure with lots of fruit.
9.1
Andrew S
A solid merlot. Smooth, sweet, elegant yet complex
A solid merlot. Smooth, sweet, elegant yet complex
9.1
Anna Marie Dos Remedios
Pretty fabulous!!! Time for Merlot!
Pretty fabulous!!! Time for Merlot!
9.0
Will Atkinson
So damn perfect. Just flawless almost to a fault.
So damn perfect. Just flawless almost to a fault.
9.0Tom Riley
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.
9.1
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