EIGHTY FOUR WINES

NAPA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA

It's nearly impossible to think of Napa Valley without thinking of Shafer Vineyards. Over the last four decades, John Shafer and his team have created one of the most renowned estates in all of Napa. Noted as one of the "greatest wineries in the world" by Robert Parker, Shafer Vineyards was instrumental in establishing the Stags Leap District AVA as a premiere location for Cabernet Sauvignon. Though best known for their glorious Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon, their success didn't end there. Merlot became one Shafer's top wines followed by their Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay from Carneros and their Syrah-Petite Sirah blend under the ‘Relentless’ label. 
 

The most recent project, Eighty Four Wines, began as a partnership between John’s son and current Shafer Vineyards president, Doug Shafer, and Elias Fernandez (long-time winemaker at Shafer). With a goal of expressing Napa terroir through varietals not produced under the Shafer label, the two began producing a Malbec, Petite Sirah, and Albariño (and more recently Gamay Noir) under the Eighty Four Wines label. While all of their wines warrant your attention, their 2013 Malbec and 2011 Petite Sirah overdeliver in every way. Today’s California wines are not for the faint of heart: they’re big, brooding, and layered, with voluptuous texture and plump tannins. Garnering up to 95 points at sub-$50 per bottle, the Malbec is energetic and intense, has a velvety palate and boasts flavors of dark cherry, baking spice, and higher-toned floral and herb characteristics. The seriously decadent Petite Sirah, which sees nearly four years in 100% new French oak, is driven by blackberry jam, mocha, tobacco, and pepper spiciness on the finish.
 
Shafer and Fernandez have been working together since 1984 (the inspiration behind the label’s name) and this is their latest passion project. The Eighty Four wines benefit from the same meticulous attention to detail for which the duo has become known, and only around 500-600 cases of the Eighty Four varietals are produced each vintage. As much as we all love Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, it’s refreshing to experience a different side of the Valley—and these wines are as bold and memorable as the powerhouse team who made them. We’re pleased to offer special 15% off Concierge pricing for one week only on the 2013 Malbec and 2011 Petite Sirah, with a further discount on two-bottle packs that would be perfect to surprise fans of California wine this upcoming holiday season.