Shafer Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch

”the 2015 growing season this warm dry vintage gave us smaller berries that were packed with rich color and flavor becoming wines with excellent structure and extraction that will age beautifully in the cellar. Fermentation whole-cluster pressed and fermented with wild yeast in individual barrels (75% oak 25% stainless steel); 0% malolactic fermentation. Cooperage 14 months in 75% new french oak barrels (allier vosges) and 25% in stainless steel barrels red shoulder ranch chardonnay 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 sh