Shafer Vineyards - Napa Valley 'TD-9' 2023

Shafer Vineyards traces its beginnings to 1972 when John Shafer left a 23-year career in the publishing industry and, with his family, moved to the Napa Valley to pursue a second career in wine. After purchasing a 210-acre estate in Napa Valley's Stags Leap District, the Shafer family faced the arduous task of replanting the existing vineyards, which dated to the 1920s, and terracing the steep and rocky hillsides, eventually expanding vineyard acreage to its current 50 acres. 

Evolving from grape growers to vintners, the Shafers crushed their first Cabernet grapes in 1978 and began construction on their winery a year later. The first Shafer Cabernet became a benchmark, winning the acclaimed San Francisco Vintners Club taste-off upon release and, over a decade later taking first place in an international blind tasting held in Germany, where it outranked such wines as Chateau Margaux, Chateau Latour and Chateau Palmer. 

Doug Shafer became winemaker in 1983 after graduating from the University of California at Davis with a degree in enology and viticulture. A year later Elias Fernandez joined the winery as assistant winemaker. Together Doug and Elias have worked closely to forge the Shafer style of quality, consistency and elegance.

Named after John Shafer’s transition from city slicker to farmer, the TD-9 was the ancient tracker found on the massive property. The wine is a propriety blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec from small vineyards scattered across Stags Leap District, Yountville, and the Vaca Mountains. The wine ages for 20 months in 100% new French oak.

“A classic Napa Valley cabernet that shows vivid flavors of red and black cherries on a big, broad texture and full body. Fine-grained tannins add structure and shape on the palate, as brilliant raspberry and cranberry flavors meet bold and deep blackberry and blueberry notes. Drink now or hold.” - 95 Points, James Suckling 

"Not yet bottled, the 2023 TD-9 is the same blend as the 2022 and is still resting in 100% new barrels. Red and black fruits, new leather, graphite, and some floral notes all define the aromatics, and it's medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced, layered, and has a great finish. Barrel Sample.” - 93-95 Points, Jeb Dunnuck

“A prospective blend of the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon TD-9 reveals a mix of red and black cherries accented by vanilla and cedar. It's medium to full-bodied, perhaps a bit more classically restrained on the palate than the flashier 2022, but it still has a wonderfully velvety texture, ample length and freshness on the finish.” - 93 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

Producer: Shafer Vineyards

Country: USA

Region: California

Varietal: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot

Appellation: Napa Valley

Vintage: 2023

Size: 750ml