2008 Napa Valley Merlot
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Tasting notes
(15.3% alcohol; includes 1% malbec): Good full red. Redcurrant, cherry, cedar and rose petal on the nose. Supple, silky and sweet, with an essentially gentle quality to the red fruit flavors. Finishes with suave, fine-grained tannins and very good length. This juicy merlot wears its alcohol gracefully. Winemaker Elias Fernandez used a bit of malbec to add color and broaden the palate.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2008 Merlot shows good freshness, mid-weight, not quite the flamboyance and intensity of the 2007, but lots of fruit as well as a seductive personality. It, too, should drink well for 7-8 years. While still renowned for their portfolio of classic world-class reds, Shafer also turns out a terrific non-malolactic Chardonnay from the Red Shoulder Ranch. The only dramatic change made over recent years is that instead of 100% being barrel-fermented and oak-aged, 25% is now aged in stainless steel which has added freshness and possibly longevity. Introduced several years ago, the Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five cuvee is aged 22 months in 100% new French oak. It is meant to be a reference point Cabernet from Stags Leap priced lower than Shafer’s limited production, usually monumental Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon. Shafer’s flagship offering is their monumental Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select (about 2,000 cases produced). Always 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for at least 30 months in oak, this is one of Napa’s most profound wines. Since 1999, Shafer has made a Syrah/Petite Sirah blend (usually 80% of the former and 20% of the latter) aged 32 months in 100% new French oak. The first vintage, the 1999 Relentless, which they opened at the winery to show how well it is aging, is still a baby at age 11. I rated it 96 points, which is higher than the 93 points I gave it in 2002. So much for California Syrah not aging well! The 1999 is still intense with a plum color and lots of grilled meat, herb, licorice and spice characteristics. Tel. (707) 944-2877; Fax (707) 944-9454
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.