2022 Shafer 'TD-9' Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
2022 TD-9 fills the glass with aromas and flavors of ripe red plum, lush violet, red and black cherry, rhubarb, and graphite. Balancing opulence and vibrancy, the wine offers vivid tension, and is completed by bright acidity and on-point tannins. This vintage will offer evolving and ever more delicate enjoyment with time.
“Year in year out, [Shafer] is one of the superstar wineries, not only in Napa Valley and all of California, but in the entire world...Today, this is a winery that does everything about as perfect as can be. They have kept their feet, heads and egos grounded, and continue to kick proverbial ass with every vintage.” – Parker In 1972 John Shafer departed his 23 year career in publishing and moved to the Napa Valley to pursue a second career in wine. Fortuitously, he found a 210 acre parcel in the Stags Leap District and set up shop. His first task at hand was that of replanting the vineyards, some of which dated back to the 1920s. The Shafer family crushed their first Cabernet in 1978 and began building their winery the next year. Needless to say, that first release became not only a benchmark but a legend in its own right. Eventually they expanded their beautiful hillside acreage and in 1983, John's son, Doug Shafer, became winemaker after graduating from U.C. Davis with a degree in enology and viticulture. Since then, Doug has stepped up to becoming the company's president and has passed the winemaking reins over to Elias Fernandez. From their somewhat modest beginnings, Shafer has blossomed into a world-class estate that is nationally and internationally renowned.
Wine Enthusiast
A full-bodied while refined Cabernet Sauvignon, the TD9 cuvée delivers the strength and generosity so characteristic of Shafer wine. Aromas and flavors of cassis, ripe blackberries and freshly cracked pine fill the mouth, leading into a lengthy and expressive finish of graphite and warming spices
James Suckling
So full-bodied, broad and ripe-tasting. It gives a mouthful of indulgent fruit flavors on an agreeable texture. Moderate to full tannins lift dark plum, dried cherry, subtle vanilla bean and cocoa accents.
Wine Advocate
Named for the tractor acquired with the original property in 1973, Shafer's 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon TD-9 blends fruit from the estate with purchased fruit to provide an entry-level Cabernet Sauvignon. A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 4% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot, aged in 100% new French oak, it does offer plenty of vanilla and spice shadings to balance the cherry fruit. Full-bodied and velvety-textured, it offers plenty of pleasure for what amounts to a fair price within the Napa scheme of things.