Shafer Vineyards
Relentless Napa Valley Syrah Petite Sirah
Napa Valley, California, USA
This wine honors long-time Shafer Winemaker Elias Fernandez and his relentless pursuit of quality. Sourced from a single ridgetop vineyard adjacent to the southern border of Stags Leap District, gravelly clay loam, sourced from a rugged and remote part of the estate, the grapes for Relentless are a blend of 90% Syrah and 10% Petite Sirah, which is a more bucolic grape than Syrah, providing for a blend that becomes an extraordinarily lush and rich wine. Aged for 30 months on 100% new French oak, deep Ruby with aromas of concentrated dark berry fruit and a hint of smoky pepper spice. Layered meaty flavors of blackberry, cherry and blueberry explode on your palate and subtle tannins relax to a nice long finish, great mouthfeel. This is certainly one of the best Syrah’s I have tasted. Will age well!
This wine honors long-time Shafer Winemaker Elias Fernandez and his relentless pursuit of quality. Sourced from a single ridgetop vineyard adjacent to the southern border of Stags Leap District, gravelly clay loam, sourced from a rugged and remote part of the estate, the grapes for Relentless are a blend of 90% Syrah and 10% Petite Sirah, which is a more bucolic grape than Syrah, providing for a blend that becomes an extraordinarily lush and rich wine. Aged for 30 months on 100% new French oak, deep Ruby with aromas of concentrated dark berry fruit and a hint of smoky pepper spice. Layered meaty flavors of blackberry, cherry and blueberry explode on your palate and subtle tannins relax to a nice long finish, great mouthfeel. This is certainly one of the best Syrah’s I have tasted. Will age well!
Nov 5th, 2019
3 hours in decanter ... will be even better in 3-5 years
3 hours in decanter ... will be even better in 3-5 years
Jul 31st, 2019After 15 years, this wine is a real beauty. Deep ruby, with some brown edging. Dense cherry, with evolving flavor profile as time played out. Butterscotch, vanilla, mellowed but tannins were still present. Served with ribs. Worked very nicely.
After 15 years, this wine is a real beauty. Deep ruby, with some brown edging. Dense cherry, with evolving flavor profile as time played out. Butterscotch, vanilla, mellowed but tannins were still present. Served with ribs. Worked very nicely.
Jul 6th, 2019
The nose on this was everything you want to inhale in a big old wine like this. Syrah w/ Durif , this aged handsomely. Inhales of Eucalyptus, fern forest, crushed poppy seed.
All of this and more on the body, mint, anise, tannins still holding, and could probably carry this for a few more years.
The nose on this was everything you want to inhale in a big old wine like this. Syrah w/ Durif , this aged handsomely. Inhales of Eucalyptus, fern forest, crushed poppy seed.
All of this and more on the body, mint, anise, tannins still holding, and could probably carry this for a few more years.
The nose here is just awesome...fruitcake, loads of charcoal and smoke. Youthful and dense with fresh squeezed blackberries and ripe plum on the palate. The finish turns more savory and is still sporting a tart, tannic bite. Palate just couldn’t catch up to the aromatics, but still nice.
The nose here is just awesome...fruitcake, loads of charcoal and smoke. Youthful and dense with fresh squeezed blackberries and ripe plum on the palate. The finish turns more savory and is still sporting a tart, tannic bite. Palate just couldn’t catch up to the aromatics, but still nice.
Feb 23rd, 2019
Drinking really nice. Has another 15 years.
Drinking really nice. Has another 15 years.
Aug 12th, 2018
Powerful notes of bloody meat, dark fruit, flowers, vanilla and baking spices. Black and blue fruits with baking spice on the palate. Big wine. The nearly 16% alcohol is incredibly well hidden. Drink now.
Powerful notes of bloody meat, dark fruit, flowers, vanilla and baking spices. Black and blue fruits with baking spice on the palate. Big wine. The nearly 16% alcohol is incredibly well hidden. Drink now.
Apr 19th, 2018With age it really shows the traditional Rhône notes of petrol and oil on the nose. Make no mistake, pure Napa on the palate.
With age it really shows the traditional Rhône notes of petrol and oil on the nose. Make no mistake, pure Napa on the palate.
Mar 23rd, 2018
Smokey and a touch spicy with notes of black raspberry, blackberry, violets and black pepper....needs about an hour to show up
Smokey and a touch spicy with notes of black raspberry, blackberry, violets and black pepper....needs about an hour to show up
Feb 20th, 2018