Red Wine Shafer TD-9 2018. Decant 1 hour before serving. Called one of the world’s greatest wineries” by the legendary wine critic Robert Parker, Shafer Vineyards has been making exceptional wines in the Stags Leap District and beyond for decades. The estate was first founded back in the 1970s when John Shafer quit a high-flying publishing career in Chicago to become a gentleman winemaker in Napa. He was soon joined by his son Doug, and today the winery is one of the few in Napa still run by the founding family. One of their iconic reds is TD-9, a powerful blend that celebrates John Shafer’s bold decision to leave behind his Chicago commute to learn how to drive a TD-9 tractor on his new Napa estate. Composed predominantly of Merlot along with equal parts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, the fruit for this punchy red is sourced from Stags Leap District, Yountville and the foothills of the Vaca Mountains. Conditions here are ideal for producing a deep, contemplative red with excellent ageing capabilities thanks to the warm summer days and cooler nights. Seductive wild berries, black cherry jam, and rose petal aromas define the nose, while the first sip reveals a generous full body, smooth tannins, and a rich core of dark fruit from the Merlot. The finish is long and elegant with gentle hints of spice and woodsmoke courtesy of the 20 months of ageing in large French oak barrels.
2018
Red Wine Shafer TD-9 2018
Red Wine Sheridan Vineyard Block One Cabernet Sauvignon 2018. It is recommended to decant it for an hour. After a successful career in finance, in 1996, Scott Greer decided to devote himself to wine production in the state of Washington, buying 76 acres of land located on a hill in the Yakima Valley. Since then Sheridan Vineyard has been producing excellent quality wines with sustainable farming practices. Produced in limited quantities (about 8400 bottles) from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from one of the property’s vineyards and aged for 32 months in new oak, Block One is one of Sheridan Vineyard’s flagship wines. In the glass, the wine shows a deep plum / purple color. The nose reveals the classic Cabernet notes of dark currant, leaf tobacco, cedar, and chocolate. On the palate, it is full-bodied and silky. Tannins and acidity are well integrated, and the wine shows an incredible freshness, despite the passage in wood. More elegant and classic in style than the L’Orage cuvée, it is a fresh, clean, and concentrated wine with a slight herbaceous hint and a surprisingly long finish of sweet spices, plum jam, and potpourri. It is an extremely food-friendly wine that goes well with red meat and game, but it can also pair with some rich vegetarian preparations, especially with mushrooms and peppers.
2018
Red Wine Sheridan Vineyard Boss Block 2018. It is recommended to decant it for an hour. Sheridan Vineyard was founded in the late 1990s in Washington state by Scott Greer, who still runs it today. The company which now covers an area of about 100 acres, produces limited quantities of exceptional wines based on Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, following sustainable practices and keeping yields low. Sheridan Vineyard Boss Block is produced from Cabernet Franc grapes vinified in purity and coming from the vineyards of the Yakima Valley of Washington. Aged 25 months in 50% new and 50% used barriques, this wine, consistent and voluptuous, reflects the best characteristics of the variety while being so approachable. In the glass, it has an intense ruby color and violet reflections. The nose reveals an interesting sweetness with intense aromas of black fruits, (cherries, plums, blackberries and blueberries), violets and dried flowers, white pepper and cinnamon, aromatic herbs, tea and hints of freshly ground coffee. On the palate, it is soft and endowed with an extraordinary balance between acidity and tannins. It is full and rich, voluptuous and balanced. The finish is long and concentrated. It’s a must-try with roasted Portobello mushrooms or pork tenderloin.
2018