Shafer’s 2010 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch offers up lemon, white flowers, spices and crushed rocks. The cold, late vintage yielded a wine loaded with intensity, focus and verve. As has been the case in recent years, the Chardonnay is aged 75% in oak and 25% in steel. This is a fabulous showing from Shafer. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2015. Shafer doesn’t miss a beat. After more than a month of intense tastings of Napa Valley wines in 2012, Shafer was a clear stand out for their consistency across the board. The Hillside Select Cabernet remains the flagship, but readers will also find plenty of equally compelling and delicious wines in this range. In particular, this year I was impressed with the Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five, which for my money is one of the best wines in Napa Valley in its price range. Although clearly made in a style meant to be enjoyed upon release, a recent bottle of the 2004 was superb, and showed the One Point Five can also age gracefully. My most recent visit ended with the 1978 Cabernet Sauvignon, an iconic wine that is still in great shape. John Shafer couldn’t get enough workers to pick his vineyard when he wanted, so fruit spent longer on the vine than he originally intended, giving birth to the Cabernet Sauvignon that today is known as the Hillside Select. Tel. (707) 944-2877

The 2010 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch reveals a brighter profile than the 2009. Citrus, flowers, crushed rocks and mint wrap around the energetic, focused finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2015. (Not yet released)Shafer’s iconic Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select gets the lion’s share of the attention here, but the rest of the wines also deserve serious consideration. I have been especially impressed with the Syrah-based Relentless on my last two visits here.Tel. (707) 944-2877