Shafer Relentless Napa Valley Syrah 2019 is a bold and complex red wine that showcases the unique terroir of the region. Crafted with a blend of 89% Syrah and 11% Petite Sirah, this wine boasts an intense ruby color and aromas of blackberry, blueberry, and black cherry, with hints of vanilla, espresso, and tobacco.
On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and rich, with flavors of dark fruit, cocoa, and licorice, complemented by smooth tannins and a long, satisfying finish. The wine was aged for 30 months in 100% new French oak barrels, adding subtle notes of spice and toast to the already complex flavor profile.
This wine is a great match for hearty meat dishes like steak, lamb, or venison, and also pairs well with rich, savory cheeses. Enjoy it now or cellar for up to a decade to fully appreciate its aging potential.
Critic Ratings
Jeb Dunnuck Review - Rated 96:
The 2019 Relentless is mostly Syrah, yet the cuvée always includes a good bit of Petite Sirah, with 11% in the 2019. A deep purple-hued blockbuster of a Syrah, it offers loads of ripe blackberries, ground pepper, sappy herbs, and violet-like aromas and flavors. One of those wines that delivers richness and intensity with no sensation of weight of heaviness, it has terrific balance, ripe tannins, and a great finish. Enjoy bottles over the coming 10-15 years.
Wine Enthusiast Review - Rated 96:
This powerful, rough-hewn wine that contains 11% Petite Sirah holds extremely deep black and blue fruits in a framework of grippy tannins. A tight, reserved expression on the midpalate signals more aging is needed for best enjoyment. The wine’s ripe, compelling, late-harvest fruits match the massive structure. Best from 2028– 2040. Cellar Selection
James Suckling Review - Rated 95:
Rich and deep dark-fruited character with hints of roast bacon, chocolate and grilled herbs. Full-bodied with a broad, structured palate that has a deep core of dark berry fruit, and an array of plush, velvety tannins that lasts for minutes, leading to a polished, slightly chewy finish.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate Review - Rated 93:
The 2019 Relentless is a blend of 89% Syrah and 11% Petite Sirah that spent 30 months in 100% new French oak. The nose is a bit briary, with intriguing herbal complexities from the Syrah, vibrant purple-raspberry fruit and perhaps some blueberry fruit from the Petite Sirah. This is full-bodied, tannic, sturdy stuff that needs time to come around, but as it's packed with fruit, that shouldn't be an issue. Patience will be required.
Wine Spectator Review - Rated 92:
Potent yet polished, with deeply structured flavors of black cherry, smoked pepper and dried sage that build tension toward medium-grained tannins. Syrah and Petite Sirah. Drink now through 2030. 3,300 cases made.