Tasting at Shafer

We started Wednesday with a tasting at Shafer Vineyards. As it turned out, we had picked a great day to schedule this appointment, as the new vintage of the 1.5 was being bottled. We were led to the bottling line where we were introduced to Elias, who then grabbed a bottle of the 1.5 right off the line and began pouring for us. Midway through the tasting, John Shafer walked in and spent some time with us, talking about his story and the future of Shafer.

• 2006 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

  Shafer just happened to be bottling the 2006 the day of our visit, so we got to taste from a newly filled bottle, poured by Elias himself. Inky garnet color. Aromas of spice, licorice, plums and cassis. The tannins are dense and chewy yet the wine retains a silky, elegant texture. Flaors of black currants, plum, black cherries and savory herbs. The finish is long, with spicy oak tones. 93-94+.

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• 2006 Shafer Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  Shafer purchased this vineyard, named for the red shouldered hawks that frequent the area, in 1989 and began producing the wine in 1994. It's located near Domaine Carneros, though since there's no signage, it's difficult to find. Pale yellow color. Apple and lemon aromas followed by complex floral notes. The palate has food firendly acidity, with apple and lemon zest flavors, picking up a slight tropical edge as it moves across the midpalate. Long finish with well integrated oak tones.

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• 2005 Shafer Merlot 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Shafer first produced this wine in 1983, and now produces about 10,000 cases annually. The 2005 is 86% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Cabernet Franc and spent 20 months in oak. The Merlot comes from a vineyard in the Oak Knoll district, while the Cab Sauv and Franc come from a Carneros vineyard adjacent to the Red Should Ranch Vineyard. Bright cherry and plum notes, along with subtle spice and oak undertones. The palate is rich in red fruit, along with plum and spice flavors, with firm tannins supporting the fruit.

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• 2005 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

  A blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Merlot, the bulk of which comes from a vineyard located near Clos du Val, purchased in 1999. Production is about 8,000 cases. Inky garnet color. Aromas of cassis, blackberry and blue fruit, with eucalyptus-like herbal notes as well. The palate is dense and layered with chewy tannins and a wall of cassis and black fruit. Focused and pure, with a long finish currently dominated by tannins and spicy oak. 93-94, but will need time to get there.

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• 2004 Shafer Relentless 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  The 2004 Relentless is 80% Syrah and 20% Petite Sirah. Production was about 3,000 cases. Inky garnet color with intense aromas of earthy black fruit, blue frui and violets. Dense and chewy tannins, with flavors of black fruit, and a subtle minerality on the finish. 91-92 pts.

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• 2003 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

  Each vineyard parcel is harvested and barreled separately, the best of which are blended to make the 2,000 or so cases of Hillside Select. Dark, inky garnet color. Notes of plum, violets, spicy oak, cassis and blackberry. Plush and velvety mouthfeel, with flavors of red currant, blackberry and black cherry. The tannins are dense and chewy, persisting on the long, long finish, where the wine picks up a subtle minerally edge. 93-95 pts.

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• 2005 Shafer Firebreak Dessert Wine 88 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

  A port-like dessert wine made from Cabernet, with dark berry and white pepper notes. Intense blackberry and dark fruit flavors on the palate.

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Shafer is a first class operation top to bottom. The tasting fee is $45, waived if you are active on one of their mailing lists, and well worth it in my opinion.