96pts James Suckling

So ripe, full and generous, with a full body and a big presence. Lovely apple blossom and lemon zest aromas with juicy apple and Bartlett pear flavors on a foundation of lively acidity. An element of chalky, mineral notes adds complexity and freshness, giving a linear feel to this big, bold wine.

94pts Vinous

The 2023 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch is a very pretty and expressive white. Tangerine peel, mint, white flowers and tropical overtones lend notable aromatic brightness. Blocked malolactic fermentation keeps the flavors lively, but there's also plenty of textural creaminess. This is a fine edition.

93pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Shafer's 2023 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch was bottled in July 2024 and was released in September. It's a distinctive style that eschews malolactic fermentation and marries barrel fermentation and maturation in new French oak (40%) with stainless steel drums (60%). Marked by bright pineapple and lime aromas, this full-bodied effort comes across as ripe and succulent while being fresh and zesty at the same time, with a lingering, citrusy finish.

93pts Wine Enthusiast

Intriguing and attractive, this Chardonnay balances rich flavors with mouthwatering length for a succulent and enticing wine. Aromas and flavors of ripe white nectarine, peach, apple skin and pithy accents of white and pink grapefruit join with well-integrated spices.

93pts Jeb Dunnuck

The 2023 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch shows a more elegant, Chablis-like vibe compared to prior vintages and offers up a terrific nose of ripe citrus, spice, honeysuckle, and subtle tropical nuances. These all carry to a medium-bodied, lively, vibrant Chardonnay that has good mid-palate depth, integrated yet notable acidity, and a great finish. I love it today, yet it should have a decade of longevity, if not more.

Winemaker Notes

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.

Winery Notes

Shafer Vineyards has produced classic Napa Valley wines for more than 40 years.

Shafer’s wines, including its signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Hillside Select, are found in collectors’ cellars and on wine lists in top luxury hotels and restaurants throughout the world.

The vineyard and cellar teams, led by winemaker Elias Fernandez, cultivate more than 200 acres of Shafer-owned vineyards, sources for the winery's celebrated Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay, TD-9, One Point Five, Relentless, and Hillside Select.

The winery has a decades-long commitment to sustainability. Beginning in the 1980s Shafer embraced farming techniques that eliminate insecticides and herbicides, and carefully conserve water resources. In 2004 Shafer became the first winery in the U.S. to go 100% solar.