Shafer Vineyards Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay 2015

The picture-perfect 2014 vintage has produced a Chardonnay with elegant aromas and flavors of melon, honeysuckle, apricot, pineapple, citrus zest, and flint. This abundance of exotic fruit is completed with bright acidity, seamless balance, and a long, mouth-coating finish.

Shafer Vineyards is a 32,000 case winery in Napa Valley's Stags Leap District managed by the father and son team of John and Doug Shafer. The Shafer family owns and farms 200 acres of vineyards, sources for Shafer's cabernet sSauvignon, chardonnay, merlot, and syrah. Shafer's single-vineyard Carneros-grown Chardonnay is produced from small-clustered clones of grapes selected for their low yields and distinctive flavors. Fermentation takes place within individual oak and stainless-steel barrels using native yeasts. The wine matures on the lees for 14 months and 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.