Shafer Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay 2018 Carneros

World War 11 bomber pilot and publisher John Shafer bought this old vineyard in in the Stags Leap region of the Napa Valley in 1972, learning on the job as he replanted the hilly vineyards, his first vintage was 1978. John was joined by his son Doug who now runs the winery with winemaker Elias Fernandez.

The Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay first produced in 1994 comes from a 66-acre vineyard in the cooler Carneros district, typified by ripe apple and yellow plum fruit with fresh acidity and complex oak, it is really impressive. Using five different clones of Chardonnay fermented with natural yeasts in a mix of 75% new oak and stainless steel barriques and aged on its lees for a further 15 month giving the lovely texture to the wine.