2015 Shafer TD-9
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Tasting notes
Named after a tractor. 56% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Malbec from Stags Leap District, Yountville and the Vaca Mountains, just south of Stags Leap District. Aged for 20 months in a combination of Allier and Tronçais barrels (100% new). Mid crimson. Quite sweet nose but overwhelmingly alcoholic on the nose. Pretty sweet palate entry and then the tightness of fine tannin on the end. Not that persistent but it should give reliable pleasure in the short-to-medium term. (JR)
Critic scores
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
An addition to the range, the 2015 TD-9 is a big, full-throttle wine. Merlot is at the core of TD-9, but Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec play important roles in the blend too. A rush of dark red cherry, pomegranate, spice and lavender lead into the voluptuous, racy finish. There is still some tannin that needs time to resolve, but this is a fabulous debut from Shafer. The TD-9 replaces the Merlot in the Shafer lineup and looks like it will be a more ambitious wine. The name is taken after the TD-9 tractor John Shafer drove in his early days in Napa Valley. (AG)
A pretty wine with blueberry and blackberry. Hints of flowers and stone. Medium to full body, round and juicy. Easy.
A blend of 56% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Malbec, the 2015 TD-9 Proprietary Red Blend is a perfumed, seamless, even elegant, 2015 that gives up lots of blue fruits, spice-box, dried flowers, and incense aromas and flavors. Charming, light on its feet, and with the forward, sexy fruit of this great vintage, drink it anytime over the coming decade.