2001 Chardonnay Carneros Red Shoulder Ranch
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Tasting notes
The 2001 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch seems already to have passed its joy period, although it is still an outstanding wine with good acidity, loads of honeysuckle, peach, apricot, and some white currants. The wine needs to be drunk over the next 6-12 months. Tel. (707) 944-2877; Fax (707) 944-9454
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Delicate aromas of pear, lemon and lime; seems cooler and less exotic than the 2000. Intense citrus flavors enlivened by firm acidity. A distinctly cooler but particularly fresh version of this wine, which does not go through malolactic fermentation.
About the producer
The site of Shafer has been around since 1880, and grapes continued to be grown here, even during prohibition. It is said that some wine was made here during that time. In 1972, John Shafer bought the property in the Stag’s Leap district, he immediately began planting the Cabernet on the hillside.