The Wine Adventure Journal Command Post is located less than five minutes from the Carneros region that spans southern Sonoma and Napa Counties – rolling hills that produce some of the finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay fruit in the world. But it was a dinner at Beverly’s restaurant in northern Idaho’s Coeur D’Alene Resort that provided an introduction to Napa Valley’s Shafer Vineyards 2010 Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay and added a wonderful new wine to the list of those I recommend and plan to acquire for my personal collection soon.
First, a few words about Beverly’s restaurant at the Coeur D’Alene Resort. While visiting the Resort this past week for a few days of golf and fishing, I dined at several of the Resort’s restaurants. Cedars (“the floating restaurant” – American), Bonsai (Japanese, Far East) and Tito’s (Italian) are located nearby and are good resort eateries. Beverly’s is on-site on the 7th floor of the Resort’s exclusive Tower rooms and suites and offers diners a panoramic view of beautiful Coeur D’Alene Lake. Beverly’s is advertised as a one of the finest restaurants in the country and delivers on that promise. Primarily a steak and seafood joint, the menu offers a lot of choices and the quality of food and service are excellent. When it comes to wine, Beverly’s kicks it up several notches. When stepping out of the elevator, you’re met by a display that showcases their extensive collection of wines from around the world, including many of the best Napa and Sonoma County wines that we’ve written about in Wine Adventure Journal. The sommelier offers cellar tours each day at 4:30pm (no reservations, just check in at the hostess desk).
There are two Shafer Vineyards white wines on Beverly’s wine list – 2010 and 2011 vintages of their Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay. Based on the sommelier’s opinion that the 2010 is relatively less “oaky” than the 2011, that’s what I picked to go with my Halibut dinner. This is a rich, clean Carneros Chardonnay that is excellent gently chilled, though I’ll be trying it served at room temperature and barely chilled, also. Per the Shafer web site, the 2014 vintage is priced at $50.
If you’re looking for a great vacation spot in the Pacific Northwest, take a look at Coeur D’Alene. For a great Chardonnay, check out Shafer Vineyards 2010 Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay.
Shafer Vineyards
6154 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558
Tasting by appointment only
Phone: (707) 944-2877
http://www.shafervineyards.com
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Disclosure: Wines and other products or services described in this article were purchased by the author from a third party. No free samples or other inducements were provided to the author in return for this review.
