2019 Shafer TD-9
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Tasting notes
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon TD-9 is a smoking value, and it certainly competes with wines 2-3 times the price. Blackberries, dried flowers, black cherries, and leafy tobacco are just some of the nuances, and it’s medium to full-bodied, has silky tannins, and a layered, impossible to resist style. A blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 11% Malbec, and the rest Petit Verdot, it’s going to evolve for 10-15 years.
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
An incredible value, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon TD-9 includes slightly more Merlot and is 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 11% Malbec and the rest Petit Verdot. Round, sexy, full-bodied, and opulent, it has terrific aromatics of red and black currants, tobacco, chocolate, and lead pencil shavings. Drink this hedonistic yet balanced, elegant beauty over the coming 10-12 years.
TD-9 is a proprietary blend that celebrates a bold move. In 1973, in the space of a few months, John Shafer went from riding morning commuter trains in Chicago to teaching himself to drive a TD-9 tractor in his Napa Valley vineyard. He’d never grown grapes or made wine in his life. TD-9 is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec from a vineyard in the foothills of the Vaca Mountains just south of Stags Leap District. Aged for 20 months in 60-gallon French oak barrels (100% new). Spicy, crunchy dark berry fruits with some bitter cherry on the finish. Ripe fruit, generous and full-bodied. Matches this with some powerful oak influence, yet not over the top. Will age well for several years. Tannins rather obvious at the moment. (AWH)
The 2019 TD-9 is silky, aromatic and perfumed. Crushed flowers, red berry fruit, spice and rose petal all show a move towards more Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. Forward and open-knit, the 2019 is an absolute pleasure to taste. Best of all, the 2019 will drink well right out of the gate.