A big — but not overwhelming — Chardonnay from Shafer, this Carneros bottling offers a creamy and buttery body, a nice slug of wood (evident on the nose), and a finish the heads into apples, pears, figs, and a touch of herbs. Thyme and rosemary? Ultimately the butter comes back in the end, leaving the mouth full of juice. A fine choice when Chardonnay fits the bill; it was a great match for roast fish with potatoes.

B+ / $45 / shafervineyards.com

2009 Shafer Chardonnay Napa Valley Carneros Red Shoulder Ranch

$45

8.5

Rating

8.5/10