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SKU 948727
$792.36/case
$66.03/bottle
Tariffs included
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This TD-9 Cabernet Sauvignon, not to be confused with other TD-9 red wines, shows an amazing clarity of dark fruit. Its deep black cherries, blackberries and touches of black olive embody classic Cabernet. Beautifully integrated tannins lend a posh texture that’s still bracing enough to help the wine age and improve. Best from 2026–2036.
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.
WE95pts
Wine Enthusiast
This TD-9 Cabernet Sauvignon, not to be confused with other TD-9 red wines, shows an amazing clarity of dark fruit. Its deep black cherries, blackberries and touches of black olive embody classic Cabernet. Beautifully integrated tannins lend a posh texture that's still bracing enough to help the wine age and improve. Best from 2026–2036.
DC94pts
Decanter
The TD-9 has beautifully youthful primary fruits, boysenberry, dusty minerals, iron stone, and cedar plank notes, along with leather, dried herbs, and cocoa powder. Medium to full-bodied and loaded with rich red volcanic, sanguine mineral character, pure ruby red fruits of cherry, cranberry, and pomegranate. Textured tannins are crisp and woven into long chains. All that minerality fuels a refreshing finish. Historically, this wine was Merlot-based, and with this vintage, they have reversed it. Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominant varietal at 76% with 11% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, and 3% Malbec aged 20 months in 100% new French oak. The winery considers this its entry-level wine. The 2021 releases mark Elias Fernandez's 38th vintage as winemaker. He was hired by John Shafer in 1984, two weeks out of UC Davis.
JD94pts
Jeb Dunnuck
The first vintage where they've put Cabernet Sauvignon on the label, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon TD-9 is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, and the rest Malbec, raised all in new barrels. Medium ruby/purple-hued, it has a killer nose of caramelized red and black fruits as well as lead pencil, dried flowers, and toasty oak. It's balanced, medium to full-bodied, and just about impossible to resist. There are roughly 10,000 cases produced, and it's a wine readers will love over the coming decade.
WS93pts
Wine Spectator
Bright and juicy, with a fun burst of blackberry and boysenberry fruit laced with hints of sweet bay leaf, violet, singed apple wood and licorice root. Good brambly energy runs underneath, giving this a vibrant feel as well as ample structure for the cellar. Best from 2025 through 2038. 9,000 cases made.
JS93pts
James Suckling
Dried cherries, blackcurrants, chocolate, sweet licorice, anisette and hints of moist earth on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied, refined and velvety with a softer, powdery tannin structure. Attractive core of ripe black fruit with a lingering finish. Cabernet sauvignon. Better after 2025.
TWI92pts
The Wine Independent
A blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, and 3% Malbec, the 2021 TD-9 is deep garnet-purple in color. It marches out of the glass with notes of creme de cassis, plum preserves, and baked black cherries followed by suggestions of Indian spices and dusty soil. Full-bodied, concentrated, and richly fruited on the palate, it has a solid backbone of grainy tannins and well-played freshness, finishing long and spicy.
WA91pts
Wine Advocate
Shafer's TD-9 is now a Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine, with the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon TD-9 being composed of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec. Offering up scents of cherries, wood spice and vanilla, it may lack a bit of complexity and concentration, but this full-bodied effort still hits all the right notes, finishing long and velvety.
VM91pts
Vinous Media
The 2021 TD-9 is a very pretty wine. Crushed flowers, sweet red berry fruit, spice and white pepper are all nicely delineated. This mid-weight, vibrant red is full of appeal. The 2021 is the first vintage in which this wine is now a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend. It is done in an approachable, fresh style meant for near and medium-term drinking.
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.
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