Reviews & Ratings

2009 Shafer Vineyards Merlot "Napa Valley"

Winery: Shafer Vineyards

Vintage: 2009

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Napa Valley"

Wine Category: Merlot

Grape blend: 92% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon & 1% Malbec

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Napa Valley

State or country: CA

Price: $48

Cases produced: 7,900

KWG Score: 92.5 (based on 7 reviews)

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

Review date: September 30, 2012

Wine Review: This dark ruby colored Merlot from Shafer opens with a black cherry bouquet with a hint of black licorice and oak. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, well balanced, very approachable and super smooth. The flavor profile is a tasty blueberry with hints of plum and black currant. I also detected a touch of oak and spice mixed in as well. The finish is dry and its moderate tannins linger nicely for a while. This Merlot is very food friendly. I would pair it with a filet mignon at a nice steak house. Enjoy – Ken

Winemaker Notes: 2009 is a great year for this varietal. The purity of aromas and flavors is focused and alive – this is unmistakably Merlot. Predominantly I find delicious red fruit with a core of lush black fruit – red cherry, red plum, spice and berry with hints of eucalyptus, earth and smoke. There’s lots of flesh here held together in a structure of fine, ripe tannins.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Shafer 2009 Merlot.