Shafer Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay 2005

In a region that offers long, cool growing seasons, 2005 was longer and cooler than most. The picture-perfect summer allowed Shafer to leave the fruit on the vine until it achieved true physiological ripeness, showing off their Carneros Chardonnay fruit at its best. There are lots of layers in your wine glass – aromas and flavors of honeysuckle, Fuji apple, apricot, and exotic flavors of the tropics. The underlying acidity, resulting from their cool-weather vineyard site, is crisply integrated with warm, toasty oak, and the whole package is tied up with a long, mouth-pleasing finish.

"The 2005 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch reflects this vintage's cooler growing and harvesting temperatures. There are some honeysuckle and tropical fruit notes, but more pear and citrus are evident, and the oak is even less noticeable than in the 2004. This crisp white should drink well for 4-5 years." Barrel Sample: 90 - 91 Points
-The Wine Advocate