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Shafer Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch Carneros 2019 - First Bottle

Reviews

94-96 Jeb Dunnuck -
I've always loved the Chardonnay from this team, and their 2019 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch has that classic richer, full-bodied style while staying balanced and light on its feet. Buttered lemons, tangerines, green almond, and toasty notes all make an appearance, and it's incredibly textured, with nicely integrated acidity and one heck of a finish. This powerful Chardonnay is going to impress right out of the gate.
92-94 Vinous -
The 2019 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch is a beautiful wine. Soft, creamy and layered in the glass, the 2019 possesses superb balance from the outset. Lees stirring brings out creaminess and resonance, yet the 2019 retains terrific energy to match its mid-weight personality. This is very nicely done.
91-93 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate -
The 2019 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch opens with opulent scents of pineapple upside-down cake, green mango and ripe apricots with hints of candied ginger, brioche, allspice and toasted almonds. The rich, creamy-textured palate is laden with tropical fruit and juicy peach flavors, supported by a racy backbone and finishes long and spicy.
92 Wine Spectator -
Features a minerally snap to the lusciously spiced Fuji apple, white cherry and dried apricot flavors that are backed by rich acidity. Pastry accents on the focused finish offer hints of beeswax. Drink now through 2025.

Technical Details

  • BlendChardonnay
  • WinemakerElais Fernandez
  • CountryUS
  • RegionCalifornia North Coast
  • AppellationNapa Valley
  • VineyardShoulder Ranch
  • Farming MethodCertified Sustainable
  • Aging/Cooperage14 months in 75% French oak barrels and 25% stainless steel barrels
  • Brix at Harvest22.8-25
  • Release Date05/10/21
  • Alcohol14.9%
Shop All Wines Shafer Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch Carneros 2019

Shafer Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch Carneros 2019

Chardonnay  |  US
JD94-96, VN92-94, WA91-93, WS92

$49.95 | 750mL
SOLD OUT
Too late, we are SOLD OUT!

We’ve always been so impressed by the way master winemaker Elias Fernandez crafts a rich, almost-opulent style, with just the perfect levels of acidity and finesse. IMMENSELY satisfying as always -- bravo!

This sells out like nobody’s business every year...grab it while you can! Jeb put it succinctly - this wine always manages to be opulent and oak infused, without ever becoming cloying, fat, or over-the-top. The acidity and freshness is what makes this work so well. The key is the blocking of malolactic fermentation, a secondary fermentation that converts malic acid (think green apple) into lactic acid (think milk). This has always been Shafer’s signature chardonnay style, a style that has won them almost as much acclaim as their world-class reds!

We love the expressive candied Meyer lemon, orange cream, green mango, with caramelized green apple and distinctive white flower quality that set this vintage apart from previous. Also, there is a notable lift and precision in the 2019 that gives this weighty and textured wine cut and tension. This wine has really hit its stride, and is even more distinctive and regal than previous versions. More reviews below! While it lasts...!

PAIRING IDEAS: Bouchon’s Lyonnaise salad. If you can’t get to Napa or Vegas, here’s a recipe. Super easy. Perfect with this wine. Lardons, crisp lettuce, large fresh croutons, perfect poached egg...mmmm! I'm hungry!

MUSIC SUGGESTIONS: Classic chardonnay with classical music is a nice way to elevate this experience. Try Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique for a real good time. Turn this up to 11 and dim the lights...you can thank us later.

About the Producer

John Shafer uprooted his family from Chicago in 1972 and bought 209 acres in what would later become Stag's Leap District. He quickly planted a small parcel of Cabernet in the hillsides above the winery at the advice of Nathan Fay and created his first wine from that planting in 1978, a precursor to their legendary Hillside Select. John's son Doug joined the family biz in 1983 and has helped shepherd the winery into the international limelight. Shafer's first Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay vintage was in 1994 and was named Top Ten Wines of the year by Wine Spectator magazine and since then has been scoring high scores since then.