Reviews & Ratings

2012 Shafer Vineyards Merlot "Napa Valley"

Winery: Shafer Vineyards

Vintage: 2012

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Napa Valley"

Wine Category: Merlot

Grape blend: 87% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon & 6% Malbec

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Napa Valley

State or country: CA

Price: $52

Cases produced: 8,000

KWG Score: 93.5 (based on 4 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (92)

Review date: September 11, 2014

Wine Review: This dark ruby colored Merlot is another very good offering from this long standing producer. It opens with a very inviting blueberry bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, nicely balanced and smooth. The flavor profile is a tasty blueberry with notes of black plum. I also detected hints of oak, black licorice and clove mixed in as well. The finish is dry and its moderate tannins are well controlled and drift away nicely. I would pair this very nice Merlot with Theresa's meatloaf or a filet mignon. Enjoy - Ken

Winemaker Notes: From a superb vintage, this wine introduces itself with enticing perfumy aromas of cherries and briar fruit that fill not just the glass but the space around the glass. This Merlot shines with juicy, chewy flavors of cherry pie, blackberry, strawberry, minerality and soil – an elegant, mouth-filling wine whose lengthy finish will leave you wanting more.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Shafer 2012 Merlot.