Shafer "Red Shoulder Ranch" Carneros Chardonnay 2022

Wine Enthusiast : 97 Points

(12/1/2023) All elegance and silk, this beautifully balanced wine offers a lively texture, with subtle lemon, toast and kiwi flavors on a full body. The mouthfeel is graceful and mouthwatering, backed by acidity that perfectly meets the generous fruit flavors. Making a wine of this caliber in thousands of cases is quite an accomplishment. Best from 2027–2032. Cellar Selection.

James Suckling : 96 Points

(1/4/2024) A vibrant, agile and poised Chardonnay with aromas of pears, apples, sweet spices, jasmine and hints of stones. It’s medium- to full-bodied with precise definition on the palate. Fresh acidity and crunchy fruity at the center and a velvety touch to the edge, bringing volume and a voluptuous character throughout. Lively and long finish. Drink or hold.

The Wine Independent : 94 Points

(11/24/2023) The 2022 Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay boldly charges out with notes of Golden Delicious apples, poached pears, and ripe apricots giving way to hints of powdered ginger, toasted almonds, and brioche. The full-bodied palate delivers impactful spiced apple and pear flavors with a pleasant creaminess to the texture and a racy backbone, finishing on a lingering toasty note.

Decanter : 95 Points

(1/2/2024) Beautifully deep golden colour flecked with emerald hues. A full-flavoured, round, expressive Chardonnay with a host of spicy ginger, salted lemon peel, honeycomb and sea shell mineral nuances. It is so round and creamy on the palate but balanced by ripe acidity, which seems to hit the palate with such precision that it builds tension only after the rich, sweet fruit character pulls you in. Everything aforementioned reemerges on the long finish layered with jasmine, ginger cream and sweet cedar. Drinking Window: 2024 - 2034.

Jeb Dunnuck : 95 Points

(12/26/2023) I love the 2022 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch. It's a richer, broad, yet still fresh and lively Chardonnay with ripe citrus and pineapple fruits, medium to full body, a layered mouthfeel, and terrific toast, brioche, honeysuckle, and lemon oil aromatics. It will keep for 4-6 years, if not longer, but I love it today. Maturity 2023 - 2028.