Shafer Vineyards : Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay 2021

Tasting characteristics and advice for Shafer Vineyards’ Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay 2021

Tasting

Color

Pale gold in hue, this wine displays subtle green highlights.

Nose

Intense and expressive, the aromatic bouquet intertwines notes of lemon and green apple with delicate hints of white flowers.

Palate

A silky texture defines the palate, marked by a remarkable balance between richness and vibrant acidity. Flavors of citrus, melon, honeysuckle, apricot and pineapple unfold harmoniously, supported by fine minerality. The finish is long and persistent.

Food and wine pairings

This chardonnay is an ideal match for fatty fish such as salmon or tuna, roasted poultry, as well as pork-based dishes. It also pairs beautifully with seafood and aged cheeses such as Manchego or Parmesan.

Serving and cellaring

The Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay 2021 can be enjoyed now but offers aging potential through 2031.

An energetic, mineral chardonnay from Los Carneros in California

The estate

Founded in 1978 by John Shafer, Shafer Vineyards now spans approximately 242 hectares across four distinct estates in the Napa Valley in California. Since 2022, the property has been owned by Shinsegae Property, a South Korean company specializing in luxury and real estate. Elias Fernandez, winemaker since 1994, continues to lead the winemaking with the same philosophy of excellence. The estate stands out for its pioneering commitment to sustainability, notably as the first property in Napa Valley to run entirely on solar power since 2004.

The vineyard

The Red Shoulder Ranch covers 70 hectares in the Los Carneros appellation, acquired in 1988. This vineyard benefits from a cool climate thanks to morning fog rolling in from the Pacific, creating ideal conditions for growing chardonnay. The soils and distinctive climate of this area produce white wines with vibrant acidity and fine minerality.

The vintage

The year 2021 offered favorable conditions, with a sunny summer marked by warm days and cool nights. This temperature swing enabled optimal ripening of the grapes. Despite the drought that defined the vintage and resulted in low yields, the grapes achieved exceptional concentration and quality. In early September, the cooler Carneros vineyards reached ideal ripeness, making it possible to harvest fruit of great elegance.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for the Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay 2021 were whole-cluster pressed, then fermented with indigenous yeasts in individual barrels. Fermentation took place in 75% new French oak barrels and 25% stainless-steel tanks. No malolactic fermentation was carried out in order to preserve the wine’s natural freshness and acidity. Aging continued for fourteen months in the same proportions, allowing the wine to develop complexity while retaining its energetic character.

Grape variety

100% chardonnay