1992 Shafer Merlot Napa Valley
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Tasting notes
Of the three newest vintages (1992,1993 and 1994), the 1992 Merlot exhibits a rich, black-cherry and chocolatey nose, medium body, good purity, fine suppleness, and some tannin in the finish. Shafer's Merlots have generally been good to very good, but rarely outstanding, although they have been well above the rank and file of California Merlots. Most of the Shafer Merlots contain between 82-85% Merlot with small additions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. This winery continues to build on their fine reputation, pushing the quality to higher and higher levels. Shafer's 50-acre estate vineyard, located in the heart of the Stags Leap District, is supplemented by an additional 70 acres in Carneros. The winery continues to be innovative, offering a very good Sangiovese called Firebreak that has a small percentage (usually less than 20%) of Cabernet Sauvignon included in the blend for color and bulk. Tel. (707) 944-2877
Critic scores
Robert Parker
About the producer
The site of Shafer has been around since 1880, and grapes continued to be grown here, even during prohibition. It is said that some wine was made here during that time. In 1972, John Shafer bought the property in the Stag’s Leap district, he immediately began planting the Cabernet on the hillside.