90 points,

Connoisseurs' Guide, Connoisseur's Guide, August 2011

High in ripeness, high in oak and deep in character, this full-bodied effort will not be mistaken for a shrinking violet. Focused on ripe pears and apples, and picking up crème caramel-like richness and layering along the way, this wine surprises a bit by turning slightly acidy and stiff in the latter palate. It will need to be partnered with flavorful chicken preparations and also has the stuffing to stand up to dishes like blackened salmon. A year in bottle would not hurt.

91 points,

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, December 2011

The 2009 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch is a gorgeous wine laced with expressive fruit and an open, radiant personality. Subtle hints of French oak and flowers are nicely layered into the finish. The 2009 was aged 75% in French oak and 25% in stainless steel. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2015.

90 points,

Stephen Tanzer's IWC, June 2011

Bright, pale yellow-gold. Aromas of lemon drop, citrus blossom and fresh herbs. Juicy, intense and light on its feet, with a strong floral character providing lift to the flavors of lemon, apple and spices. Just a touch of alcohol on the back end.

96 points,

Wine Enthusiast, October 2011

#8 on Wine Enthusiast's Top 100 of 2011; Shafer consistently produces one of the biggest, fruitiest Chardonnays in California, and yet the wine remains balanced and interesting. The 2009 Red Shoulder Ranch is gigantic in pineapples, pears, mangoes, tangerines and honey, yet so minerally and crisp that somehow it finishes dry. Editors' choice. - S.H.

93 points,

Wine Spectator, November 2011

#65 on Top 100 of 2011;Pure, ripe and richly flavored, with tiers of nectarine, fig, honeysuckle and smoky oak. Full-bodied, with touches of citrus blossom and lemon peel. Drink now through 2017. 6,000 cases made. -JL

About Winery

Shafer Vineyards traces its beginnings to 1972 when John Shafer left a 23-year career in the publishing industry and, with his family, moved to the Napa Valley to pursue a second career in wine. After purchasing a 210-acre estate in Napa Valley's Stags Leap District, the Shafer family faced the arduous task of replanting the existing vineyards, which dated to the 1920s, and terracing the steep and rocky hillsides, eventually expanding vineyard acreage to its current 50 acres.Evolving from grape growers to vintners, the Shafers crushed their first Cabernet grapes in 1978 and began construction on their winery a year later.

The first Shafer Cabernet became a benchmark, winning the acclaimed San Francisco Vintners Club taste-off upon release and, over a decade later taking first place in an international blind tasting held in Germany, where it outranked such wines as Chateau Margaux, Chateau Latour and Chateau Palmer.

Doug Shafer became winemaker in 1983 after graduating from the University of California at Davis with a degree in enology and viticulture. A year later Elias Fernandez joined the winery as assistant winemaker. Together Doug and Elias have worked closely to forge the Shafer style of quality, consistency and elegance.

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