Shafer TD-9 2018

Shafer TD-9 2018

 

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Shafer
TD-9 2018
  • Vintage : 2018
  • Country : USA
  • Region : California
  • Subregion Napa
  • Type : Red
  • Style Deep Full Bodied
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 15,3°
  • Grappes : 62% Merlot, 22% Malbec, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon

Shafer TD-9 2019, a captivating red blend from the prestigious Napa Valley, California, offers an exquisite tasting experience. This wine stands out for its harmonious blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec, delivering a rich and structured profile.

Experts Score Vintage
JS James Suckling 93 2018
JD Jeb Dunnuck 93 2018
WE Wine Enthusiast 92 2018
VN Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 92 2018
RP Robert Parker 91 2018
JR Jancis Robinson 17 2018
WS Wine Spectator 92 2017
W&S Wines & Spirits 91 2016
More information on wine critics and ratings

The grapes for Shafer TD-9 originate from the esteemed Napa Valley in California, a region renowned for its exceptional grape-growing conditions. This area's unique terroir, characterized by a diverse soil composition and a favorable climate, contributes significantly to the wine's complexity and depth. The vineyards in the Stags Leap District, Yountville, and near the foothills of the Vaca Mountains play a crucial role in imparting distinctive characteristics to the wine.

Winemaking Process: The winemaking approach for Shafer TD-9 emphasizes the careful selection and blending of varietals to achieve a harmonious balance. The wine is aged for 20 months in French oak barrels, contributing to its nuanced flavors and elegant structure. This meticulous process results in a wine that is both expressive and refined.

Tasting Notes:

  • Color: The wine exhibits a deep garnet hue, indicative of its rich and concentrated character.
  • Aroma: The nose is greeted with a bouquet of summer berries, black tea, rose petal, lavender, and black cherry, creating a captivating and multi-layered aromatic profile.
  • Palate: On the palate, Shafer TD-9 is full-bodied and lush, revealing flavors of fresh black cherries, black currant, red plum, and hints of cocoa. The wine's structure is underscored by ripe Napa Valley tannins, ensuring a lasting and pleasurable tasting experience.

Interesting Fact: Shafer TD-9 has a unique story, commemorating a significant change in the life of John Shafer, the vineyard's founder. In 1973, he transitioned from commuting in Chicago to learning to drive a TD-9 tractor in the Napa Valley vineyards, marking the start of his winemaking journey.

Wine Pairing Ideas: Shafer TD-9 pairs exceptionally well with robust dishes such as grilled steak, roasted lamb, or hearty pasta dishes. Its bold flavors also complement rich cheeses and chocolate-based desserts.

(VV)

James Suckling (JS) : 93 Points (2018)
This has a meaty nose with grilled plums, smoke, tapenade and dried leaves. Some tomato paste. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, chewy tannins. Broad and flavorful with a distinctively savory, saline finish. 56% merlot, 23% cabernet sauvignon and 21% malbec. Better from 2021.

Jeb Dunnuck (JD) : 93 Points (2018)
The 2018 TD-9 Proprietary Red Blend is based on 56% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Malbec. It's another balanced, charming, and impeccably made wine from this estate that has lively red and blue fruits, scorched earth, graphite, and licorice aromas and flavors as well as a medium to full-bodied, elegant style on the palate. It shows the more streamlined, focused style of the 2018 vintage and is going to evolve for 10-12 years.

Wine Enthusiast (WE) : 92 Points (2018)
This vintage of TD-9, named for the founder’s favorite tractor, combines 56% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon and 21% Malbec. Aromatic tones of rose and raspberry meet accents of cedar, tobacco leaf, iron and crushed rock, all while maintaining an intensely full-bodied, structured feel.

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) (VN) : 92 Points (2018)
The 2018 TD-9, Shafer's Merlot-based blend, is just as delicious from bottle as it was from barrel. Succulent dark red cherry/red plum fruit, licorice, spice, lavender and dried herbs are front and center. Readers will find a gorgeous 2018 that is ready to deliver plenty of pleasure from the get-go. (AG) (1/2021)

Robert Parker (RP) : 91 Points (2018)
A blend of 58% Merlot and 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Red Blend TD-9 displays a medium to deep garnet-purple color and expressive notes of blueberry compote, mulberries and plum preserves plus nuances of potpourri, dried Provence herbs and tar. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a lively backbone creating great tension with the ripe, plummy flavors and rounded tannins, finishing with an enticing herbal lift.

Jancis Robinson (JR) : 17 Points (2018)
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). Dark ruby. A really very alluring blend of ripeness and savour. Not too heavy with some pace – even if quite a bit of sweetness, counterbalanced by fine tannin and freshness. 17/20 points (JR) (7/2021)

Wine Spectator (WS) : 92 Points (2017)
Rich and full of dense and spicy dark plum, dried blackberry and mocha flavors. Dark chocolate and smoky notes show on the ripe finish, with dried savory herbal accents. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Drink now through 2023.

Wines & Spirits (W&S) : 91 Points (2016)
A selection from three of Shafer’s estate vineyards, this red emphasizes merlot (58 percent), blended with cabernet sauvignon and malbec. The wine’s tannins gained suppleness through 20 months in new French oak barrels while sustaining a bright, brisk note above the dark, tobacco-scented richness. It’s nuanced and layered, a wine to pour with tender cuts of beef.

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Shafer TD-9 2018 Reviewed by Wine Enthusiast 06-02-2024 . Score: 4