2023 Shafer 'Red Shoulder Ranch' Chardonnay Carneros

$89.95

“The 2023 is true to the outstanding vintage with brilliant, elegant aromas and flavors of citrus peel, honeycomb, white flowers, apricot, pineapple, and warm river stone all held together with effortless structure, lithe balance, and brightness that comes from pitch-perfect acidity.” — Elias Fernandez, Shafer Vineyards Winemaker

“Year in year out, [Shafer] is one of the superstar wineries, not only in Napa Valley and all of California, but in the entire world...Today, this is a winery that does everything about as perfect as can be. They have kept their feet, heads and egos grounded, and continue to kick proverbial ass with every vintage.” – Parker In 1972 John Shafer departed his 23 year career in publishing and moved to the Napa Valley to pursue a second career in wine. Fortuitously, he found a 210 acre parcel in the Stags Leap District and set up shop. His first task at hand was that of replanting the vineyards, some of which dated back to the 1920s. The Shafer family crushed their first Cabernet in 1978 and began building their winery the next year. Needless to say, that first release became not only a benchmark but a legend in its own right. Eventually they expanded their beautiful hillside acreage and in 1983, John's son, Doug Shafer, became winemaker after graduating from U.C. Davis with a degree in enology and viticulture. Since then, Doug has stepped up to becoming the company's president and has passed the winemaking reins over to Elias Fernandez. From their somewhat modest beginnings, Shafer has blossomed into a world-class estate that is nationally and internationally renowned.

Varietal:
Chardonnay
Winemaker:
Elias Fernandez
Vintage:
2023
Aging:
9 months
Oak Treatment:
French Oak 40% New and 60% in stainless steel
Appellation:
Napa Valley
Sub-Appellation:
Carneros
Vineyard:
Red Shoulder Ranch
Total Varietal Composition %:
100% Chardonnay
Alcohol %:
14.9%
SKU #:
1054627
Size:
750 ml Bottle