1997 Shafer

This family-owned winery at 6154 Silverado Trail in Napa Valley produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Sangiovese (a component of the proprietary red called Firebreak). The vineyards are located in Stags Leap District, Carneros, and Oak Knoll. The breakdown by varietal is 50 acres Cabernet Sauvignon, 39 acres Merlot, 38 acres Chardonnay, 17 Sangiovese and 2 acres Cab Franc. John Shafer, the Chairman and former publisher, purchased the winery estate in 1972 and established the winery in 1979. Doug Shafer is President and Elias Fernandez, the winemaker. Doug, who was the winemaker in 1983, is a UC, Davis enology graduate. Elias, also a UC, Davis product, began as the assistant winemaker in 1984, and was appointed winemaker in1991.

Shafer produces about 30,000 cases annually, which include some of the most sought after wines in the country. The Shafer Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay is classically lush while the powerful Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District, is the flagship of the winery. Shafer’s well-made red proprietary wine, Firebreak, is a blend of about 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Tasting notes follow. All are barrel samples and final blends tasted in January 1999.

1997 Merlot, Napa Valley, 90-94 pts, C3+N4F4-A3T4E4-?: The first thing that struck me was the structural integrity of this wine, which is loaded with rich Merlot fruit. Currently, sweet fruit and tannins are dominating on the finish, but the astringency should recede after a year or two in the bottle. The blend is 75% Merlot, 15% Cab Franc and 10% Cab Sauvignon with 60% of the Merlot coming from Carneros. Due to be bottled in February, this Merlot has excellent potential. Release date is 9/99. 10,000 cases produced.

1997 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 92-96 pts, C4N3+?F4A3T4-E4: This very rich, mouth-coating Cab was aged for 22 months in 40% new oak of which 50% was American. It is characterized by delicious sweet Cab fruit and silky tannins leading to a soft, full finish. This beautiful looking wine tastes great. The composition is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, and 7% Cab Franc. It will be bottled in April and be held one year before release. Release date 4/00. 2200 cases.

1997 Firebreak, Napa Valley, 90-94 pts, C4N4F4A3T4+E4?: This is the best-looking Sangiovese I’ve encountered exhibiting an inviting concentrated red color. It has excellent concentration and a chalky, tannic finish. A background of "pepper and spice" should come forward as the tannins recede. The wine needs time to equilibrate. The blend is 85% Sangiovese, 15% Cab Sauvignon. Bottled in February, the release date is 2/00. 2000 cases.

1997 Cabernet Sauvignon, Hillside Select, 96-100 pts, C5N4F5-A3T3+E5-: This was the star of the tasting. Wow! This wine has it all. Opaque and inky in color, bright red fruit aromas lead the charge with ultra rich fruit to follow. Very fine tannins result in a smoothness that is unreal for such a young wine. Although the end is slightly tannic, the concentration overwhelms the palate. The long and layered finish can only get more complex and delicious with time. Just racked out of barrels, and going back in, the Hillside Select will be bottled in May 2000 and released 2001. Aging is 32 months in 100% new French oak. Limited production.

Contact: alchemist@wineperspective.com