WTN: Excellent Old-ish Napa Chardonnay

Bought this 2010 Shafer Red Shoulder Chardonnay, Napa from Carneros, recently in Ft. Wayne at 1/2 off sale ($32) and glad I did. Parker recommends drinking these at 3-4 yrs. of age but I totally disagree! This wine reminds me of the Newton Unfiltered Chards I was drinking a lot of from the early 2000"s at 10 yrs. of age. This wine had a mix of grapefruit and pineapple with some citrus thrown in and fabulous acidity. Beautiful mid-golden color just added to the experience. Unfortunately my only bottle and consumed with ham and scalloped potatoes. What a match this would have been with lobster or king crab or fried oysters. Oh well, I have another, a 2014, and will let it rest for a few years.

[David M. Bueker]

Half off is about the only way to buy Shafer these days.

I miss the days when the Hillside Select Cab was on the shelf for $75.