The wines of Shafer Vineyards, Napa Valley, California

6154 Silverado Trail Napa, California 94558, USA
Tel: +1 707 944 2877
UK  agent: Thorman Hunt (020 735 6511)

Three wines tasted from this premium Napa producer. They’re fine examples of what California has to offer, but oh the prices, the prices…

Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay 1999
Deep yellow/gold colour. Rich, exotic oaky nose shows lifted tropical fruit and nutty oak, with good complexity. The palate concentrated, lush and spicy. A very rich style, but there’s good acidity to keep things in balance. Impressive example of full-on California Chardonnay. Very good/excellent (approx retail £40 per bottle)

Merlot 1999
Deep coloured. Quite a classy nose with a pencil lead/mineralic core, spicy herbal elements and bright acidity. The palate is rich but balanced with good acidity, a spicy finish and good balance between the fruit and the oak. Not overstated. Very good+ (approx retail £40)

Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
Shafer’s flagship wine is impressive, but considering how much people are expected to pay for it, it has to be. Deep red/purple colour. Expensive smelling nose is rich and quite complex with menthol, herbs, spice and cassis characters. Hugely concentrated palate with lots of fruit, firm tannins and well integrated oak. Great potential for future development. Very good/excellent (approx retail £120)

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wines tasted November 2001