Vinunic poured these beauties with Nick Holmes, VP of global sales, at the helm of the tasting. Thanks for the opportunity to taste these stellar wines. Most of them will be released in the spring of 2027.
See previous tasting notes of wines from Shafer below.
2025 Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay
A delicate, fine nose with notes of ripe oranges, fudge, sun warm rocks and gravel. Very fine.
The taste is tight and elegant with notes of lemon caramel, white flowers and wet cement. A very fine acidity.
Zero malo, 9 months in 40% new French oak and 60% in stainless steel.
93p (tasted 2026/10)
2024 Merlot
Second vintage of the second coming of the Merlot, Shafer didn´t make a Merlot between 2013 and 2022.
The nose is deep and plummy with additional notes of sweet tobacco, fir smoke and asphalt.
The taste is open and juicy with notes of ripe plums, sweet undergrowth and leather. Long and warm.
95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16 months in new French oak barrels.
92p (tasted 2026/10)
2023 TD-9
A real beauty. The nose burst out of the glass with notes of ripe black currants, tobacco and coffee powder. Deep and refined.
The taste is tight and concentrated with an aristocratic backbone, gorgeous fruit and a long, layered finish. Truly great.
75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 7% Malbec and 7% Petit Verdot.
96p (tasted 2026/10)
2023 Relentless
This 97% Syrah and 3% Petit Sirah offers up a restrained, deep nose with notes of blackberries, sun warm rocks and dried meat. A very fine perfumed note.
The taste is inky and tight with notes of blackberry candy, lightly peppered meat and charcoal. A long, backward elegance. Really fine.
94p (tasted 2026/10)
2023 One Point Five
A very deep, layered nose with notes of graphite, black currant leaves, granite and cook tobacco. Just lovely.
The taste is tight and focused with brilliant fruit, seamless black currant fruit and polished tannins.
96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Merlot and 1% Malbec.
95p (tasted 2026/10)
2023 Hillside Select
Starts out on a shy, restrained note but with air it blossoms into a stunner with notes of both red and black currants, expensive tobacco, Zegna leather and tiles.
The taste is iron clad and layered with notes of perfectly ripe black currants, graphite and Blue Mountain coffee. A one minute long finish. Great wine. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.
97p (tasted 2026/10)
Previous tasting notes:
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