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Shafer Vineyards TD-9 Napa Valley Red Blend 2017
Inaugural release! New release of Shafer's new Proprietary Red that replaces the Shafer Merlot. This is a stunning new red from Shafer's estate vineyards. Vibrant, complex aromas of ripe red and black fruit, lavender, and herbs fill the glass followed by pure, energetic flavors of dried cherry, blackberry, strawberry, licorice, and cocoa all pulled together with wet slate minerality, clean acidity, and the ripe, seamless tannins that are the hallmarks of this vintage. 56% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Malbec.
Ratings on Delectable
Angela Bortugno 
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
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
8.9
Al Shikoh
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
8.8
Sipping Fine Wine
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. Long finish ending with earthy mineral. Drink now & over next few years, any longer the wine will lose vibrant quality. Nice!
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. Long finish ending with earthy mineral. Drink now & over next few years, any longer the wine will lose vibrant quality. Nice!
9.3Sipping Fine Wine
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!
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!
9.1
Mark Laumann
Kendall/Richard wedding weekend
Kendall/Richard wedding weekend
9.3
Chris Anton
Awesome blend. Strongly recommend for Merlot lovers.
Awesome blend. Strongly recommend for Merlot lovers.
9.1Willie Carter
Dark, dark purple with no hint of translucency. An eclectic nose that just leaps out of the glass. Mulberries and rhubarb. Black cherries and strawberry preserves mingle with lusty dark chocolate and dry earth. 56/23/21 Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec primarily from wonderful Stags Leap and Yountville grapes. A proper decant is necessary because of the 15.3% alcohol. Most wines just cannot maintain their composure with that kind of heat but the Shafer does very well here, not surprisingly. Ripe tannins and nice complexity. Savory notes take over on the palate with cloves, smoke, and stewed plums. Grilled meat, bacon fat, and blueberry cobbler. Just delicious. Leather and mint with warm spice on the long finish. A sturdy wine with years to go.
Dark, dark purple with no hint of translucency. An eclectic nose that just leaps out of the glass. Mulberries and rhubarb. Black cherries and strawberry preserves mingle with lusty dark chocolate and dry earth. 56/23/21 Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec primarily from wonderful Stags Leap and Yountville grapes. A proper decant is necessary because of the 15.3% alcohol. Most wines just cannot maintain their composure with that kind of heat but the Shafer does very well here, not surprisingly. Ripe tannins and nice complexity. Savory notes take over on the palate with cloves, smoke, and stewed plums. Grilled meat, bacon fat, and blueberry cobbler. Just delicious. Leather and mint with warm spice on the long finish. A sturdy wine with years to go.
9.0Joe Roth
Beautiful Merlot based blend.
Beautiful Merlot based blend.
9.4
Peggy Hadley
Nice blend of Merlot, Malbec, and Cabernet. Google the tractor TD-9. Can’t believe he used that tractor.
Nice blend of Merlot, Malbec, and Cabernet. Google the tractor TD-9. Can’t believe he used that tractor.
9.1Tom Johnson
Having been a long time fan of Schafer, I was disappointed with this release. Perhaps it needs more time in the bottle, but I found this severely lacking in flavor....almost flat, lacking in character. This is not representative of what I have had in the past from this winery.
Having been a long time fan of Schafer, I was disappointed with this release. Perhaps it needs more time in the bottle, but I found this severely lacking in flavor....almost flat, lacking in character. This is not representative of what I have had in the past from this winery.
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