Shafer 2018 TD-9 Red Blend, Napa Valley

TD-9 is a proprietary blend that celebrates a bold move. In 1973, in the space of a few months, John Shafer went from riding morning commuter trains in Chicago to teaching himself to drive a TD-9 tractor in his Napa Valley vineyard. He’d never grown grapes or made wine in his life. That spirit of risk-taking and adventure still guides Shafer today and inspired the creation of this new wine.

Grapes for this blend come from Stags Leap District, Yountville, and a vineyard in the foothills of the Vaca Mountains just south of Stags Leap District. The blend is 62% Merlot, 22% Malbec, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 20 months in 100% new French Allier and Troncais oak barrels.

Jeb Dunnuck scored this 93 points saying “The 2018 TD-9 Proprietary Red Blend is based on 56% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Malbec. It's another balanced, charming, and impeccably made wine from this estate that has lively red and blue fruits, scorched earth, graphite, and licorice aromas and flavors as well as a medium to full-bodied, elegant style on the palate. It shows the more streamlined, focused style of the 2018 vintage and is going to evolve for 10-12 years.”

James Suckling scored this 93 points saying “This has a meaty nose with grilled plums, smoke, tapenade and dried leaves. Some tomato paste. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, chewy tannins. Broad and flavorful with a distinctively savory, saline finish. 56% merlot, 23% cabernet sauvignon and 21% malbec. Better from 2021.”

Wine Enthusiast Magazine scored this 92 points saying "This vintage of TD-9, named for the founder’s favorite tractor, combines 56% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon and 21% Malbec. Aromatic tones of rose and raspberry meet accents of cedar, tobacco leaf, iron and crushed rock, all while maintaining an intensely full-bodied, structured feel."

The Wine Advocate scored this 91 points saying “A blend of 58% Merlot and 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Red Blend TD-9 displays a medium to deep garnet-purple color and expressive notes of blueberry compote, mulberries and plum preserves plus nuances of potpourri, dried Provence herbs and tar. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a lively backbone creating great tension with the ripe, plummy flavors and rounded tannins, finishing with an enticing herbal lift.”