Shafer 2021 Chardonnay, Red Shoulder Ranch, Carneros

Shafer's Chardonnay from their beautiful 70 acre Red Shoulder Ranch vineyard in Napa Valley’s Carneros District, year after year offers up wine with plush, exotic, zesty aromas and flavors. Carefully selected, small-cluster Chardonnay clones were planted and since the first vintage this wine has been a standout among California Chards. It's always fermented using only wild yeasts, 75% in barrel and 25% in stainless steel tanks.

This 2021 aged 14 months in 75% new French oak barrels (Allier, Vosges) and 25% in stainless steel barrels. Since it undergoes no malolactic fermentation this Chardonnay retains a lively natural acidity. The vineyard is named for its Red-shouldered Hawks and other birds of prey, who play an important role in Shafer's natural farming practices.

This Chard 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.