Café Maxx Presents
Shafer Wine Dinner
March 29, 2018 7:00 pm $225.00 plus tax & gratuity
Shafer is fully owned and operated by the Shafer Family
Shafer Vineyards, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District
Wine making at Shafer started in the late 1970’s; they were completely absorbed in learning how to grow great fruit and grew to focus on soil and climate. Also in an effort to making the best tasting wine that their vineyards could deliver. Concurrently they have turned to sustainable agriculture practices. Believing that earth-friendly farming methods not only create healthier vineyards, but also lead to more enjoyable wines.
Doug Shafer who is a friend of Café Maxx, along with their wine maker Elias Fernandez has been making world class wines since 1978.
Pass Arounds
Almond fried grouper fingers and mango chili sauce
Foie gras brioche toast with kiwi
Sweet & sour pineapple ceviche with sea scallops
Sundried apricot and brie Phyllo purses
2016 Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay
Critical Acclaim
WINE ENTHUSIAST 94 POINTS
This Chardonnay always impressive, rich and spicy in its grasp of power and grace, this white is memorable from start to finish, beginning with a dark golden-hay color that dazzles in the glass. A strong floral component of jasmine invites on the nose, while sparkling acidity maintains a freshness amidst the integrated oak and, featuring an elegant mix of baked apple, honeydew melon, and delicious flavors of honeyed pear and crème brûlée, plus light minerally notes. Ends full and persistent, with a long, layered aftertaste. Drink now through 2021.
*****
First course
Sterling beef Carpaccio, gorgonzola dolche, red wine macerated fresh & dried mixed berries
Walnut raisin crostini, basil, chive and Valrohna cocoa dust
2014 Merlot and the 2015 TD-9- Proprietary Red Blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec
Shafer 2014 Merlot (Napa Valley)
WINE ENTHUSIAST 90POINTS
This is a robust, dense and tannic wine, with 8% each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. It needs time to unravel what are now just mere suggestions of coffee and black-cherry jam, with seasonings of cedar, peppercorn and dried sage. Full bodied, ripe and highly structured, this should be enjoyed in years to come, through 2023.
2015 TD-9 Wine Spectator 92 POINTS
TD-9 is a proprietary blend, vibrant, complex aromas of ripe red and black fruit, lavender, and herbs fill the glass. Powerful and finely textured, with concentrated dried cherry, dark currant and roasted plum flavors that are filled with lively minerality. Richly spiced, showing dried herbal notes on the chiseled finish. 56% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Malbec. Drink now through 2022.
*****
Second course
Lavender and pepper roasted elk rib eye, creamed new potatoes
Swiss chard and heirloom carrot medley with raspberry & pomegranate demi glace
Shafer One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon (Stags Leap District)
WINE ENTHUSIAST 95POINTS
The velvety approachability of this soft, supple wine belies a strength and sophistication always at the heart of this producer's wines, an intensity of flavor and power that commands attention. Black currant, black cherry, sage and smoky oak ride atop an underground of black pepper, combining ultimately into a tantalizingly juicy package. Drink now through 2023.
*****
Third course
Grilled skirt steak over bacon scented pecorino risotto
Roasted shallots and French beans with black Sambucca glaze
Shafer Relentless Napa Valley Syrah and Petite Sirah(Napa Valley)
WINE ENTHUSIAST 93POINTS
This perennial powerhouse of a wine is a blend of 89% Syrah and 11% Petite Sirah, aged 30 months in 100% new French oak. It offers a hard-hitting intensity of stewed plum, cherry and buttery vanilla, with thick, structured tannins that are firm and integrated. Meat, black licorice and black pepper combine effortlessly and should shine bright after aging.
Enjoy from 2029 and beyond.
*****
Fourth course
Grill roasted rack of lamb with pistachio-mint pesto crumb
Wild mushroom bread pudding and cabernet rosemary natural sauce
Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon
Critical Acclaim
James Suckling 99 POINTS
Wonderful floral aromas with perfumed roses plus hints of blackcurrants and spearmint. Full-bodied and so powerful and muscular but always showing the brightness and beauty of fruit. Winemakers say this reminds them of the 1978, their first year. It certainly has the structure —"those tannins" as they put it. Finish is so impressive with tar, iron and spices. Available in September 2017. Try in 2023.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 98 POINTS
This Cabernet Sauvignon will probably hit the magic three-digit score, but it is a more backward style of wine, although probably even more concentrated than the 2012, and that’s saying something. Fabulous potential of 30-50 years is evident in this profound bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon that is inky blue/black to the rim and offers up notes of charcoal embers, scorched earth, blackberries, cassis, blueberries, a hint of coffee, and background barrique smells. Massively concentrated but incredibly elegant and poised, this is a wine of great energy and vibrancy. It is fabulously deep, built like a skyscraper, and set for an incredibly long life. Try not to consume a bottle for at least another 4-5 years and then watch the magic unfold.
Wine Enthusiast Rating: 98+
Among the Napa Valley’s most crowning achievements in Cabernet, this vintage of Hillside Select is stunning, bright and beguiling in every way. Intensely layered, its interwoven flavors burst in black licorice, dark chocolate, pipe tobacco, gun smoke and garrigue. Spicy oak adds to the power and weight. Drinkable now, it will show even greater finesse in time; enjoy best 2023–2033 and possibly beyond.
*****
Dessert
Dark chocolate chip, hazelnut and pear strudel with red wine & raspberry chocolate sauce
Join us for this elaborate affair you will not soon forget. This starts with wine pass-arounds at the bar with The Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay followed with the First Course meal paired with the Shafer wines. Each course will be paired by Chef Oliver Saucy and his staff as they pulls out all of the stops to prepare this epicurean Five Course Dinner.
For Reservations Call
1(954) 782-0606
Or Email