One of Napa’s outstanding wineries, Shafer has a great history in the region. The site of the current winery had grape growing and commercial winemaking since 1880, during Napa Valley’s first boom as an American wine country. Napa’s pioneer vintners not only filled San Francisco’s wine cellars, but shipped wine across the country and earned gold medals at the 1889 Paris Exposition. John Shafer, a Chicago publishing executive, purchased our site in 1972 and spent the mid-1970s planting the hillside estate to Cabernet Sauvignon. In 1978 John transitioned to full-scale winemaking, making the winery’s first Cabernet Sauvignon. In 1983 John’s son, Doug Shafer, joined the winery as winemaker. The following year, Elias Fernandez joined the winery, initially as assistant winemaker. Fernandez has been winemaker since 1994.
I love the new 2024 ‘Red Shoulder Ranch’ Chardonnay (OB, 94) which is rich, viscous and has amazing flavor range. Learn more about this historic winery at https://shafervineyards.com
Here are my reviews of the new wines by Shafer.
2024 Shafer ‘Red Shoulder Ranch’ Chardonnay- Sourced from this slightly cooler site overlooking the San Francisco Bay, the 2024 ‘Red Shoulder Ranch’ delivers marzipan, Japanese pear and lemon curd notes on the nose with hints of pineapple cream. The palate is laden with tension and richness, as copious minerals greet you alongside a core of tropical and melon fruits. Drink 2026-2034- 94
2023 Shafer ‘TD-9’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 ‘TD-9’ is inspired by John Shafer’s first tractor, the TD-9 International Harvester. This has 11% Merlot, 7% Malbec, 7% Petit Verdot and was stored in 60% new French oak before bottling. It comes of juicy, rich and beautifully-textured, with a great acid backbone. Drink 2026-2042- 94