Notes:
“One of California’s most popular luxury priced Merlots is also one of the state's best.” – Richard Nalley, Forbes
Note from Shafer: 'To deliver a wine loaded with colour, extract and concentration, Shafer vineyard crews pass through the vine rows a number of times as harvest approaches cutting away less-ripe and under-developed fruit. This allows the vitality of the vine to focus on the remaining top-quality fruit. With added hang time, sugars and flavours increase markedly.'
Winemaker’s Notes: “2008 Merlot has a lively, perfumy nose that begins the moment the bottle is opened – delicious aromas of red cherry, raspberry, red plum, cherry kirsch. In the mouth are rich, juicy, palate-enveloping flavors of pure red and black fruit, red licorice, and hints of mint and toasted almonds. The tannins are round and smooth and part of the long, pleasing finish.” — Shafer winemaker Elias Fernandez