Shafer TD-9 2019

Cellar for up to 12 years. Decant 1 hour before serving. Called “one of the world’s greatest wineries” by the legendary wine critic Robert Parker, Shafer Vineyards has been making exceptional wines in the Stags Leap District and beyond for decades. The estate was first founded back in the 1970s when John Shafer quit a high-flying publishing career in Chicago to become a gentleman winemaker in Napa. He was soon joined by his son Doug, and today the winery is one of the few in Napa still run by the founding family. One of their iconic reds is TD-9, a powerful blend that celebrates John Shafer’s bold decision to leave behind his Chicago commute to learn how to drive a TD-9 tractor on his new Napa estate. Composed predominantly of Merlot along with equal parts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, the fruit for this punchy red is sourced from Stags Leap District, Yountville and the foothills of the Vaca Mountains. Conditions here are ideal for producing a deep, contemplative red with excellent ageing capabilities thanks to the warm summer days and cooler nights. Seductive wild berries, black cherry jam, and rose petal aromas define the nose, while the first sip reveals a generous full body, smooth tannins, and a rich core of dark fruit from the Merlot. The finish is long and elegant with gentle hints of spice and woodsmoke courtesy of the 20 months of ageing in large French oak barrels.