Shafer, TD-9, Napa Valley

Shafer Vineyards farms a hillside estate on tough volcanic soils in Napa's Stags Leap District. Hillside Select, the flagship, is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from estate blocks such as Sunspot, John's Folly, Hitching Post and Palisade, aged 28–32 months in new French oak and released nearly four years after harvest; it is dark, concentrated and velvety. One Point Five is a Cabernet-led blend (with Merlot and Malbec in 2015) from the estate and nearby Borderline Vineyard, plush in texture and less muscular than Hillside Select. Relentless is Syrah with a little Petite Sirah from the Vaca range, savoury and full-bodied. TD-9 blends Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec; the Chardonnay, Red Shoulder Ranch, comes from Carneros.

Appellation

Stags Leap District, Napa Valley

Vineyards

Hillside estate blocks (Sunspot, John's Folly, Hitching Post, Palisade); Borderline; Red Shoulder Ranch (Carneros)

Grapes

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Chardonnay

Wines

Hillside Select, One Point Five, Relentless, TD-9, Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay

Style

Hillside Select: 100% Cabernet, 28 months in new French oak (2023)

Website

https://shafervineyards.com/

Sources: shafervineyards.com, fredswan.wine, hedonism.co.uk