"This has a lovely core of fruit with aromas of nectarines, grilled lemons and flint. The midweight, textural palate shows balanced acidity, finishing with a slight phenolic grip. Moving out of the cooler 2023 bottling, this is far more generous and open. Drink or hold." —James Suckling

"For fans of Chardonnay without malolactic fermentation, Shafer's 2024 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch remains a standard-bearer. Ripe pineapple, pear and honeysuckle mark the nose, while the full-bodied palate is loaded with opulent mango fruit that's expansive and lush but brought back into focus on the crisp citrus-and-green-apple finish." —Wine Advocate

"The 2024 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch is a very pretty, elegant wine. Lemon confit, white flowers, mint and light tropical inflections are some of the many notes that grace this weightless, super refined Chardonnay. All the elements are so well balanced. There is a feeling of understated lightness here that is so appealing." —Antonio Galloni, Vinous