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Long-term Pre-arrival Items
Long Term Pre-arrival Definition: Ordering wine directly through us from our supplier partners in Europe in advance of the item’s physical arrival in the US.
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SKU 884652
$1,424.52/case
$118.71/bottle
Tariffs included
Out of stock
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This is a new offering from the producer, sparked by winemaker Elias Fernandez’s desire to make a Merlot-based blend, rather than a varietal Merlot. It is an estate-grown blend of 56% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Malbec. Rich and concentrated, it’s delightfully robust and vibrant, offering a mix of blackberry, blueberry and caramel chocolate flavors that finish in soft, integrated oak. (Editors’ Choice)
Of all the New World wine countries, perhaps the one which has demonstrated the most flair for producing high quality wines - using a combination of traditional and forward-thinking contemporary methods - has been the United States of America. For the past couple of centuries, the United States has set about transforming much of its suitable land into vast vineyards, capable of supporting a wide variety of world-class grape varietals which thrive on both the Atlantic and the Pacific coastlines. Of course, we immediately think of sun-drenched California in regards to American wines, with its enormous vineyards responsible for the New World's finest examples of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot based wines, but many other states have taken to viticulture in a big way, with impressive results. Oregon, Washington State and New York have all developed sophisticated and technologically advanced wine cultures of their own, and the output of U.S wineries is increasing each year as more and more people are converted to their produce.
Region
California
California as a wine producing region has grown in size and importance considerably over the past couple of centuries, and today is the proud producer of more than ninety percent of the United States' wines. Indeed, if California was a country, it would be the fourth largest producer of wine in the world, with a vast range of vineyards covering almost half a million acres. The secret to California's success as a wine region has a lot to do with the high quality of its soils, and the fact that it has an extensive Pacific coastline which perfectly tempers the blazing sunshine it experiences all year round. The winds coming off the ocean cool the vines, and the natural valleys and mountainsides which make up most of the state's wine regions make for ideal areas in which to cultivate a variety of high quality grapes.
Appellation
Napa Valley
When it comes to New World wines, and especially wines from the United States of America, Napa Valley is something of a standard bearer. Over its relatively short history, it has managed to transform itself from being a fairly insignificant region, to becoming one of the most important and highly regarding wine locations on earth. With an ideal climate for viticulture, blazing sunshine and a low level of rainfall, this valley is shielded on many sides by mountain ranges which help it maintain a consistent level of heat, light and moisture throughout the year. Today, Napa Valley is a home of innovation and quality, with dozens of grape varietals thriving in the fertile soils. However, the main varietals grown there have always been Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Zinfandel, and the wines they produce are constantly lauded by critics and competitions across the globe.
WE94pts
Wine Enthusiast
This is a new offering from the producer, sparked by winemaker Elias Fernandez's desire to make a Merlot-based blend, rather than a varietal Merlot. It is an estate-grown blend of 56% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Malbec. Rich and concentrated, it's delightfully robust and vibrant, offering a mix of blackberry, blueberry and caramel chocolate flavors that finish in soft, integrated oak. (Editors' Choice)
VM93pts
Vinous Media
An addition to the range, the 2015 TD-9 is a big, full-throttle wine. Merlot is at the core of TD-9, but Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec play important roles in the blend too. A rush of dark red cherry, pomegranate, spice and lavender lead into the voluptuous, racy finish. There is still some tannin that needs time to resolve, but this is a fabulous debut from Shafer. The TD-9 replaces the Merlot in the Shafer lineup and looks like it will be a more ambitious wine. The name is taken after the TD-9 tractor John Shafer drove in his early days in Napa Valley. (Vinous)
WS92pts
Wine Spectator
Powerful and finely textured, with concentrated dried cherry, dark currant and roasted plum flavors that are filled with lively minerality. Richly spiced, showing dried herbal notes on the chiseled finish. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Drink now through 2022. 5,600 cases made.
JS91pts
James Suckling
A pretty wine with blueberry and blackberry. Hints of flowers and stone. Medium to full body, round and juicy. Easy. A blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon and malbec. Drink now.
JD91pts
Jeb Dunnuck
A blend of 56% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Malbec, the 2015 TD-9 Proprietary Red Blend is a perfumed, seamless, even elegant, 2015 that gives up lots of blue fruits, spice-box, dried flowers, and incense aromas and flavors. Charming, light on its feet, and with the forward, sexy fruit of this great vintage, drink it anytime over the coming decade.
WA90pts
Wine Advocate
Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Red Blend TD-9, a blend of 56% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Malbec, reveals notes of warm plums, Christmas cake and mocha with hints of sandalwood and vanilla pod. Full-bodied and laden with spiced plum preserves flavors, it has just enough freshness and great length.
Winery Notes
TD-9 is an adventurous red blend that celebrates a bold move. In 1973 John Shafer went from taking morning commuter trains in Chicago to teaching himself to drive an old TD-9 tractor in our Napa Valley vineyard. He’d never grown grapes or made wine in his life. That spirit of risk-taking and adventure continues to inspire everything we do at Shafer Vineyards today. TD-9 is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec – we hope you enjoy drinking it as much as we love making it.
