Merlot Wine

We tried this with our friends at Nathaniel Johnston a few years ago and fell in love with it! This 2010 has very complex, black-fruit flavors, especially given its modest price and appellation. It has excellent balance, with fine tannins and a hint of roasted coffee in the long finish.
-- CW Wine Staff (April 2011)

Light and silky, with pretty boysenberry and spice flavors that linger on the finish. Drink now. 65,000 cases made.

A lovely Merlot, this is pure, vibrant and elegant. It has classic cherry, red-currant and cedar flavors, and while there's a sweetness at the core, the finish is thoroughly dry. Wonderful to drink now with steak or lamb.

This 100% Merlot is made from grapes that are hand-harvested from the estate’s best vineyards in the hills around Orvieto, in Umbria. Grapes are fermented in stainless steel vats, and then aged in Nevers oak barrels for an additional seven months. To preserve the full character of the Umbrian terroir, the wine is bottled without filtration or excessive manipulation. Deep ruby in color, with a refined aroma of wild herbs, blackberry, and light vanilla, this fresh, medium-bodied wine pairs especially well with traditional Italian dishes, such as pasta with meat sauce, braised beef or pork, and spicy Italian sausage. -- Ben Giliberti

Intricate layers of black cherry, plum, currant, and wild berry mingle with a hint of spice. The soft, delicate tannins of this Bordeaux varietal carry these aromas and flavors to a long lingering finish.

Sleek and well-focused, with appealing aromas of red currant and toasty tomato leaf that lead to rich flavors of plum, mocha and cedar. Tannins firm up the finish. Drink now through 2017.

Displays classic Merlot attributes: bright, ripe black cherry and plum aromas with subtle notes of spice and chocolate; soft, juicy, balanced flavors; and a smooth, supple texture with well-rounded tannins and bright acidity. The wine's exceptional character comes from choice Central Coast grapes, primarily from Monterey County, a region that provides the temperate climate, cool breezes and moist alluvial soils that Merlot loves. We blended the Merlot with 19% Syrah for added color and richness, and enhanced the wine's pure fruit flavors with just a hint of oak for roundness and complexity. Enjoy this wine with wild mushroom pizza, spaghetti Bolognese, Cornish game hens, grilled beef or lamb shanks.

The 2009 Merlot includes 6-7% Cabernet Sauvignon as well as 1% Malbec. It may turn out to be the finest of these 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 theyâ??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.