93 points Wine Spectator: "Clean, crisp and flinty, with green apple, lime, quince and spicy hazelnut notes that are pure and focused, gaining depth on the finish. Drink now through 2012. (6/30/09)"

93 points California Grapevine: "Medium-light golden color; attractive, spicy, citrussy, apple and white peach aroma with notes of hazelnut, honeysuckle, and butterscotch; full body; forward, rich, fleshy, baked apple, ripe apricot, and tropical fruit flavors with good depth, structure, and balance; pleasing mouthfeel with a crisp finish; lingering aftertaste. Shows distinctive varietal character and deserves another year or two of bottle aging. Very highly recommended. 14.9% alcohol; 75% barrel fermented; 0% malolactic fermentation. (Jun/Jul 2009)"

92 points Robert Parker: "The non-malolactic barrel-fermented, green/gold-colored 2007 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch offers loads of tropical fruit, pear, and honeysuckle characteristics in its full-bodied personality. The oak component has been downplayed over recent vintages, and the wine is all the better for it, displaying gorgeously pure fruit. It should drink nicely for 2-4 years. This family-owned winery routinely fashions exceptional wines from their Stags Leap vineyards. Moreover, they have long been the reference point for what can be achieved in Stags Leap. My highest compliments to this great winery. (Dec 2009)"