Welcome to binNotes | Red Thread™
by L.M. Archer, FWS | Bourgogne ML
The Hedonistic Taster | № 1
“Wine should not be regarded simply as a beverage, but as an art of living, a pleasure.” – Henri Jayer
Welcome to the first installment of my new feature The Hedonistic Taster (originally slated as ‘Second Sunday Sampler) a review of artisan wine published every other Sunday each month.
The title derives from the term ‘hedonistic tasting’ coined by revered Burgundian vigneron Henri Jayer.
The Hedonistic Taster allows me the opportunity to introduce you to some gorgeous pours through this ‘virtual tasting’ format, while you enjoy and expand your palate in the repose of your home of office.
Santé!
Today’s Tasting:
Shafer Hillside Select is a trademarked reserve 100% premium cabernet sauvignon wine produced by Shafer Vineyards in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley.
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Shafer Merlot is a premium wine produced by Shafer Vineyards in the Stags Leap AVA, Napa Valley. The wine is comprised of 84% merlot, 8% cabernet sauvignon, and 8% malbec.
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2012 Relentless by Shafer Vineyards is an 89$ syrah, 11% petite sirah blend of high quality wine produced by Shafer Vineyards in Napa Valley’s Stags Leap DIstrict, and is named for respected winemaker Elias Fernandez.
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Shafer Hillside Select is a trademarked reserve 100% premium cabernet sauvignon wine produced by Shafer Vineyards in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley.
" data-orig-size="297,372" data-image-title="Shafer_Hillside" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" data-orig-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/bottle_hillside_25th.jpg" height="150" width="120" data-comments-opened="1" data-large-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/bottle_hillside_25th.jpg?w=297" alt="Shafer_Hillside" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-medium-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/bottle_hillside_25th.jpg?w=240" />Wine: 2011 Hillside Select® Napa Valley | Stags Leap District
Varietal(s): 100 % Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol: 15.5 %
Suggested Retail: $225
Specs
TASTING NOTES:
La Robe: Inky, darkness-before the dawn-like purple.
Le Nez: Exotic hints of cedar box, capsicum, white pepper.
La Bouche: Millefeuille layers of raspberry, black truffle, spice; languorous tannins, generous finish.
Suggested Pairings: Grilled or roast viands like lamb, duck, beef and game; aged, full flavored cheeses.
Shafer Merlot is a premium wine produced by Shafer Vineyards in the Stags Leap AVA, Napa Valley. The wine is comprised of 84% merlot, 8% cabernet sauvignon, and 8% malbec.
" data-orig-size="297,372" data-image-title="Shafer_Merlot" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" data-orig-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/bottle_merlot.jpg" height="150" width="120" data-comments-opened="1" data-large-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/bottle_merlot.jpg?w=297" alt="Shafer_Merlot" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-medium-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/bottle_merlot.jpg?w=240" />Wine: 2013 Merlot | Napa Valley
Varietal(s): 84% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec
Alcohol: 15.3%
Suggested Retail: $55
Specs
TASTING NOTES
La Robe: Opaque garnet.
Le Nez: Dried violet, hawthorne, dark red fruits.
La Bouche: Modelo cherry, red currant, dark chocolate, velvet study in equipoise, lingering finish.
Suggested Pairings: Poultry and meat dishes with fruit accents suck as cherry-merlot sauce or savories like roasted garlic or mushrooms.
2012 Relentless by Shafer Vineyards is an 89$ syrah, 11% petite sirah blend of high quality wine produced by Shafer Vineyards in Napa Valley’s Stags Leap DIstrict, and is named for respected winemaker Elias Fernandez.
" data-orig-size="297,372" data-image-title="Shafer_Relentless" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" data-orig-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/bottle_relentless.jpg" height="150" width="120" data-comments-opened="1" data-large-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/bottle_relentless.jpg?w=297" alt="Shafer_Relentless" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-medium-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/bottle_relentless.jpg?w=240" />Wine: 2012 Relentless® Napa Valley
Varietal(s): 89% Syrah, 11% Petite Sirah
Alcohol: 15.8%
Suggested Retail: $85
Specs
TASTING NOTES
La Robe: Impregnable porphyry.
Le Nez: Sumptuous cassis, eucalyptus, black fruit.
La Bouche: Plush blackberry, plum, white pepper: luxurious tannins, relentless finish, just like its namesake, winemaker Elias Fernandez.
Suggested Pairings: Roast duck or game, aged sheep cheese like manchego or Abbaye de Belloc.
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Want to learn more about Shafer Vineyards? Link to Red Thread™’s exclusive interview with Doug Shafer here.
Thank you:
Andy Demskey | Shafer Vineyards
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Disclosure: All wines reviewed here are trade samples provided by wineries.
Winemakers, media and PR:
Please contact [email protected] for samples shipping details.
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*(A Tribute to the Great Wines of Burgundy by Jacky Rigaux, translated by James K. Finkel, Terre en Vues, 2009.)
Copyrighted 2016 by binNotes | Red Thread™. All Rights Reserved.
