Shafer Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay 2021 – 750ml Breakthru

95pts Wine Enthusiast

This full-bodied and beautifully balanced wine is powered by energized fruit acidity. Vivid green-apple and lemon zest flavors, and a snappy finish. Subtle oak notes remain secondary. Fermented in both oak barrels and stainless steel, and matured without maloactic conversion, the wine is superrefreshing, clean and mouthwatering.

93Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

Always an impressive bottling, the 2021 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch was barrel fermented in a 75% new French oak and 25% stainless steel. Boasting fabulous aromas of lemon curd, apple, pear and pencil shavings, this non-malolactic Chardonnay is full-bodied, round and generous on the palate, then crisp and refreshing on the finish. If it’s not as complex or rich as the very best Chardonnays California has to offer, it’s not that far behind. Best After 2023.

92pts Vinous

The 2021 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch is brisk, fresh and finely cut, with plenty of citrus and floral character. Bright acids drive the profile in this vibrant, steely Red Shoulder Ranch. The 2021 was bottled with a bit less time in oak than normal to compensate for the lack of 2020, an approach that turned out quite well. Best After 2022

Winemaker Notes

The 2021 fills the glass with radiant, elegant aromas and flavors of melon, honeysuckle, apricot, pineapple, and flint all held together with lithe structure, pitch-perfect balance, and energy that comes from pure, elegant acidity.