2017 Napa Carneros Red Shoulder Ranch Shafer 2016 Napa Relentless
Shafer Vineyards traces its beginnings to 1972 when John Shafer left a 23-year career in the publishing industry and, with his family, moved to the Napa Valley to pursue a second career in wine. After purchasing a 210-acre estate in Napa Valley’s Stags Leap District, the Shafer family faced the arduous task of replanting the existing vineyards, which dated to the 1920s, and terracing the steep and rocky hillsides, eventually expanding vineyard acreage to its current 50 acres. From a modest beginning of 1,000 cases in 1978, the winery has grown steadily until reaching its present size of 32,000 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Syrah.
Shafer Vineyards also has a “Mailing List” you can join in order to purchase their wines and also get on the waiting list on limited production wines. I recommend to check out their availability, click this link “MailingListLink” to go to their site and sign-up! If you find your travels to Napa, I recommend a visit to their elegant Napa winery. Picture below is the stunning view from their Tasting Room!
Keep checking back with SippingFineWine.com as I recently made a trip to Napa during 2019 harvest, visited several wineries, tasted some great wines, and met some outstanding individuals. I’ll continue to report on my discoveries.
Shafer 2017 Napa Carneros Red Shoulder Ranch
Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay is a wine that bears the elegant imprint of its vineyard home, 68 acres that roll across the pastoral hill country of Los Carneros, a place where Napa Valley meets the northernmost rim of San Francisco Bay. The vineyard is named to honor the Red-shouldered Hawks and other birds of prey that play a vital role in sustainable farming practices (in this case keeping gopher and other rodent populations naturally under control).
Pale gold color with aromas of stone and tropical fruits with a bit of citrus and sweet floral, aged 75% French oak & 25% stainless, no malolactic fermentation. On the palate melon, pineapple, apricot and some honeysuckle with hints of lemon zest and biscuit notes, delicate, complex and well balanced. Long finish, savory, ending with mineral tones and nutty toasty character. Will age well. Outstanding!
Shafer 2016 Napa Relentless
This wine honors long-time Shafer Winemaker Elias Fernandez and his relentless pursuit of quality. Sourced from a single ridgetop vineyard adjacent to the southern border of Stags Leap District, gravelly clay loam, sourced from a rugged and remote part of the estate, the grapes for Relentless are a blend of 90% Syrah and 10% Petite Sirah, which is a more bucolic grape than Syrah, providing for a blend that becomes an extraordinarily lush and rich wine. Aged for 30 months on 100% new French oak, deep Ruby with aromas of concentrated dark berry fruit and a hint of smoky pepper spice. Layered meaty flavors of blackberry, cherry and blueberry explode on your palate and subtle tannins relax to a nice long finish, great mouthfeel. This is certainly one of the best Syrah’s I have tasted. Will age well!
Cheers!