Shafer Tasting

Napa Valley
Tasted Monday, September 23, 2013 by JDV.DDSPHD with 398 views

Introduction

We were able to tour Shafer and meet Elias Fernandez the winemaker at Shafer. The relentless syrah/petit syrah blend was amazing while the hillside select was a bit of a let down.

Flight 1 (1 Note)

  • 2011 Shafer Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch 87 Points

    USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

    Golden yellow in color. Citrus components with some pineapple and pear. HIgh acidity and decent backbone. I think it's lacking the structure of an amazing chardonnay but overall it is a decent not over oaked chardonnay.

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Flight 2 (1 Note)

  • 2011 Shafer Merlot 86 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    This was very closed on the nose. It took a while to open up and it really didn't express the true beautiful characteristics of what merlot could be. This is a high production merlot that just missed the mark. Still a nice wine but not up to any high expectations. Tannins were too soft and the texture while round lacked substance. Lacking complexity and depth.

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Flight 3 (1 Note)

  • 2010 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five 87 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

    This just didn't stand up to the other one point fives that i've had. This really lacked that structure and tannin profile I enjoy. Just linear and flabby with a subtle almost non existent finish. Just not worth the $72 it's calling for. Tannins didn't coat the palate and the finish stopped at the mid palate. Underwhelming.

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Flight 4 (1 Note)

  • 2010 Shafer Relentless 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    For $72 this is a steal. Great syrah/petit syrah blend. Deep dark inky purple. Complex and structured. This blew away the hillside select at today's tasting. The nose was a mix of black and purple fruit with tar and earth. Great lingering finish with depth and a massive backbone. Very impressive.

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Flight 5 (1 Note)

  • 2009 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

    Very young. Honestly I really expected more for this price point. This is a $250 bottle and for that kind of money I expect to be blown away. I was expecting this to be massive and bold. For the tannins to be chewy and coating and for the finish to last for 30+ seconds. That was not the case. Don't get me wrong this is a good wine and the tannins are integrated and the finish is acceptable but this should be better than acceptable. It should be outstanding. The relentless was a bigger and in my opinion better wine. I know we are comparing cab with a syrah blend but this just didn't do it for me. Too bad my allocation of 6 bottles is already on its way before I did the tasting.

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