Winemaker Notes
The unparalleled 2023 vintage has produced a Merlot offering abundant layers of red plum, dark cherry, and raspberry, lifted by violet and lavender florals. Notes of vanilla, baking spices, and cherry pie evoke richness, while cranberry and subtle herbs add vibrant freshness. Seamlessly integrated tannins carry through to a remarkably long, graceful finish.
Blend: 90% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Based on 90% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Malbec and aged 18 months in 100% new French oak, the 2023 Merlot offers up an outstanding bouquet of black cherries, graphite, spicy wood, and incense. Medium-bodied, with a round, supple mouthfeel and a great finish, this delicious, balanced, impeccably made Merlot will keep for 10-15 years. Drink 2025-2040.
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James Suckling
This is sitting on the edge of reduction with aromas of bitter chocolate, dried herbs, ink, cured meats and graphite. The midweight palate shows densely packed dark fruit and tightly wound tannins. Needs a little more time in bottle with some air before drinking.
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Wine Spectator
Polished and well-structured, with handsome red and black currant flavors highlighted by spices including cinnamon, plus a touch of tomato leaf, as this persists toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2033.
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Vinous
Shafer fans will be delighted to learn that the Merlot is back with the 2023. Bright acids lift a core of red fruit and blood orange. This cool-toned, refreshing Merlot is an absolute delight. Readers will find a wine of total sophistication. Drink it over the next handful of years.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2023 Merlot matured exclusively in new French oak barrels, giving its black cherry fruit a veneer of subtle mocha and cedar shadings. At 15.3% alcohol, it's full-bodied but also rather tart, the acids giving the palate a more streamlined shape and accentuating the otherwise soft tannins on the finish.
Shafer Vineyards has produced classic Napa Valley wines for more than 40 years.
Shafer’s wines, including its signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Hillside Select, are found in collectors’ cellars and on wine lists in top luxury hotels and restaurants throughout the world.
The vineyard and cellar teams, led by winemaker Elias Fernandez, cultivate more than 200 acres of Shafer-owned vineyards, sources for the winery's celebrated Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay, TD-9, One Point Five, Relentless, and Hillside Select.
The winery has a decades-long commitment to sustainability. Beginning in the 1980s Shafer embraced farming techniques that eliminate insecticides and herbicides, and carefully conserve water resources. In 2004 Shafer became the first winery in the U.S. to go 100% solar.
As Napa Valley’s third most planted grape, Napa Valley Merlot shows time and time again its potential to produce exceptional results. Napa’s vaunted combination of climate, soil and the human factor of winemaking expertise lead to big, ripe, cellar-worthy and world-class versions.
Whether made by itself in single varietal bottlings or as an important role in Bordeaux Blends, Merlot continues a prominent role in this famous region. While Cabernet typically takes the lead role, Merlot’s contribution—even at 10% to 20% or so—is significant indeed. Often described as “the flesh on Cabernet’s bones,” Merlot lends a soft, round and plush character that beautifully complements Cabernet’s linear, full-throttle structure. Its flavors of plums plus subtle herbs and mint also dovetail nicely with Cabernet’s blackberry and cassis.