Shafer Relentless 2017
- jd93-95
- v90-93
- wa92
| Category | Red Wine |
| Varietals | |
| Region | California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District |
| Brand | Shafer |
| Alcohol/vol | 15.8% |
“The 2016 Relentless offers deep, elegant, meaty, gamey aromas and flavors that are pure Syrah. These are fused with blueberry, black pepper, wet stone, and black tea. The vintage offers an ideal balance of immensity and energy, along with a beautiful, silken texture in the mouth, a lengthy finish, and ripe tannins that promise many rich, memorable years ahead.”
— Shafer winemaker Elias Fernandez
Jeb Dunnuck
- jd93-95
Not yet bottled, the 2017 Relentless includes slightly more Petite Sirah (14%) than the 2016 and has a slightly fresher, more elegant style as well as sunny notes of blackberries, raspberries, cassis, ground pepper, and flowers. Full-bodied, with silky tannins, ample fruit, and a great finish, it's another impressive vintage for this cuvée.
Vinous
- v90-93
The 2017 Relentless is a bold, flamboyant wine that seems to have put on even more density over the last year, hard as that may seem to believe. Black cherry, licorice, spice, leather and menthol are all amped up in this decidedly opulent, full-throttle Syrah-based wine.
Wine Advocate
- wa92
Composed of 86% Syrah and 14% Petite Sirah, the 2017 Relentless has a deep garnet-purple color and fragrant notes of cracked black pepper, licorice and violets over a core of plum preserves, Black Forest cake and mulberries plus an earthy waft of tar. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has lovely purity and freshness, featuring ripe, rounded tannins and lots of pepper and spice layers, finishing refreshingly savory.