Shafer Vineyards has been the site of grape growing and commercial winemaking since 1880, during Napa Valley’s first boom as an American wine destination. When John Shafer, a Chicago publishing executive, purchased the site in 1972 and spent the decade planting the hillside estate to cabernet sauvignon, he set the stage for the winery’s ascension to greatness. Joined by his son Doug in 1983 and winemaker Elia Fernandez the following year, he launched his Hillside Select series, forging the trademark Shafer style of elegance, richness, and balance. Since then, Shafer Vineyards has been the recipient of hundreds of accolades and terrific reviews for its cuvées - including the Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay - and has cemented its reputation as one of the Valley’s most celebrated wineries.*

The 2022 Red Shoulder Ranch is a refreshing, vibrant chardonnay characterized by its lush, glass-filling aromas of white flowers, lemon zest, and exotic fruit. On the palate, it offers a graceful balance of energy and richness, with flavors of white melon, apricot, ripe pineapple, flint, honey, and crème brûlée. With its pure, Chablis-like acidity this vintage offers effortless structure and elegant balance with a long, delightful finish.*

97 points, Wine Enthusiast:
"All elegance and silk, this beautifully balanced wine offers a lively texture, with subtle lemon, toast, and kiwi flavors on a full body. The mouthfeel is graceful and mouthwatering, backed by acidity that perfectly meets the generous fruit flavors. Making a wine of this caliber in thousands of cases is quite an accomplishment. Best from 2027-2032. Cellar Selection." (10/23)

96 points, James Suckling:
"A vibrant, agile, and poised chardonnay with aromas of pears, apples, sweet spices, jasmine, and hints of stones. It’s medium-to-full-bodied with precise definition on the palate. Fresh acidity and crunchy fruit at the center and a velvety touch to the edge, bringing volume and a voluptuous character throughout. Lively and long finish."  (9/23)

95 points, Decanter:
"Beautifully deep golden color flecked with emerald hues. A full-flavored, round, expressive chardonnay with a host of spicy ginger, salted lemon peel, honeycomb, and sea shell mineral nuances. It is so round and creamy on the palate but balanced by ripe acidity, which seems to hit the palate with such precision that it builds tension only after the rich, sweet fruit character pulls you in. Everything aforementioned reemerges on the long finish layered with jasmine, ginger cream, and sweet cedar." (1/24)

95 points, Jeb Dunnuck:
"I love the 2022 Red Shoulder Ranch. It's a richer, broad, yet still fresh and lively chardonnay with ripe citrus and pineapple fruits, medium to full body, a layered mouthfeel, and terrific toast, brioche, honeysuckle, and lemon oil aromatics. It will keep for 4-6 years, if not longer, but I love it today." (12/23)

ABV: 14.9%
*winery/winemaker notes