2009 Merlot
Released SEPTEMBER 1, 2011
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
The 2009 growing season, which may be the best of the decade, was marked by a long, cool summer that gave us dark, sun-soaked fruit that's rich and complex. This remarkable vintage has given us a Merlot with refined structure, alluring aromatics, and bold flavors.
Winemaker’s Notes
"2009 is a great year for this varietal. The purity of aromas and flavors is focused and alive – this is unmistakably Merlot. Predominantly I find delicious red fruit with a core of lush black fruit – red cherry, red plum, spice and berry with hints of eucalyptus, earth and smoke. There's lots of flesh here held together in a structure of fine, ripe tannins," writes Shafer winemaker Elias Fernandez.
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.
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.
2009 Merlot Fact Sheet |
Finding Our Wines Robert M. Parker Jr.’s The Wine Advocate, December 2010 |
2009 Merlot – Reviews
"It may turn out to be the finest of [the last] three vintages. Shafer had a very strong 2009 harvest that winemaker Elias Fernandez claims will be their best vintage of the last decade (very high praise given what they've accomplished). The deep purple-colored 2009 exhibits sweet aromas of black raspberries, black cherries, white chocolate and herbs. Medium-bodied and powerful as well as elegant and stylish, it will evolve for 10+ years."
— Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
“Elegant and focused, with black cherry and toasty oak aromas that lead to supple red currant, spice and herb notes. Finishes with firm but ripe tannins.”
— James Laube, Wine Spectator
2009 Merlot Downloads
Shafer Brochure
2011 Current Releases
2009 Merlot Fact Sheet
2008 Merlot Fact Sheet
Robert M. Parker Jr.’s The Wine Advocate, December 2010
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.