2007 Merlot
Released SEPTEMBER, 2009
Suggested California retail: $48.00
“One of California’s most popular luxury priced Merlots is also one of the state's best.””
– Richard Nalley, Forbes
To deliver a wine loaded with color, 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 flavors increase markedly.
While this wine is officially designated with the Napa Valley appellation, its fruit is sourced from within just a three mile radius in the Valley’s cooler southern end. Half of our fruit for our Merlot comes from a hilly Shafer-owned vineyard we’ve informally dubbed, “School Bus,” located about a quarter mile due south of Stags Leap District. The remainder is cultivated within Stags Leap District by growers we’ve worked with closely for years.
Merlot is a finicky grape – a bit too much rain, a touch of frost early in the season – will easily result in less than ideal fruit. Early on each season our vineyard team culls any weaker fruit leaving only the best-of-the-best on the vine, ensuring that the wine exhibits lush, ripe, mouthfilling flavors that are true to varietal character.
Winemaker’s Notes
“The 2007 Merlot is a richly aromatic, elegant wine that comes with layer upon juicy layer of lush red and black jam fruits – cherry, plum, currant – and dark chocolate, black tea, smoke and spice. The tannins are ripe and smooth with a finish that takes its time letting you go,” says Shafer winemaker, Elias Fernandez.
2007 Merlot Fact Sheet |
Shafer Brochure Finding Our Wines Robert M. Parker Jr.’s The Wine Advocate, December 2008 |
2007 Merlot – Reviews
“... reveals soft berry fruit intermixed with leafy, herbal notes, excellent purity, a layered mouthfeel, sweet tannins, lively freshness, and the intense fragrance that this vintage has provided.”
– Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
“Dark and muscular, with blackberry and graphite aromas and
youthful, concentrated black cherry and mocha fruit that show
notes of roasted herb and a hint of game.”
– Wine Spectator
2007 Merlot Downloads
Shafer Brochure
2009 Current Releases
2007 Merlot Fact Sheet
2006 Merlot Fact Sheet
Robert M. Parker Jr.’s The Wine Advocate, December 2008
2007 Merlot Press Release, September 2009
Celebrating our 25th Vintage of Merlot
Since planting our first Merlot vines in 1983, the Shafer vineyard and winemaking team have learned a lot about cultivating this fruit and producing this wine. It’s been an exciting journey and we want to share with you our love of this rich, delicious wine.