2006 Syrah Relentless
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Tasting notes
The 2006 Shafer Relentless is a blend of 84% Syrah and 16% Petit Sirah that was aged for 30 months in 100% new French oak. Big and decadent, with loads of ripe cassis and blackberry fruit, toasty oak, charcoal, and spice box on the nose, the wine is full bodied on the palate, showing upfront, hedonistic fruit, a lavish texture, and ripe tannin on the long finish. Still very youthful, this full-throttle Syrah should improve with 1-2 years additional bottle age and then continue to drink well over the following decade.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(86% syrah and 14% petite sirah) Saturated medium ruby. Musky aromas of cassis, blackberry, tar, melted licorice and violet. Densely packed, juicy and extremely primary, even youthfully aggressive, with dark berry flavors complicated by fruity peppercorn and bitter chocolate. This very ripe, serious, structured wine boasts excellent palate coverage but demands at least two or three years of aging.
The 2006 Relentless may be even better. It possesses an opaque purple hue as well as a grapy, smoky perfume displaying scents of roasted meats, blackberries, licorice, and charcoal. This packed and stacked, full-bodied 2006 should drink beautifully for 10-15 years. (Not yet released) Celebrating 30 years of consistent quality and both critical and commercial success, this family run winery remains one of the most admirable operations in California. The Shafers have had tremendous success with their Relentless, which was first released in 1999. A blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Petite Sirah that spends 32 months in 100% new French oak, it is a remarkably consistent offering that rarely displays much oak. The Syrah is from Napa’s cool-climate Oak Knoll sector. One of the world’s most prodigious Cabernet Sauvignons is Shafer’s 2,000-case cuvee called Hillside Select. Always 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 100% new French oak for a whopping 32 months, it boasts a gorgeous track record dating back to the early nineties, and just about every recent vintage has flirted with perfection. Tel. (707) 944-2877; Fax (707) 944-9454
About the producer
The site of Shafer has been around since 1880, and grapes continued to be grown here, even during prohibition. It is said that some wine was made here during that time. In 1972, John Shafer bought the property in the Stag’s Leap district, he immediately began planting the Cabernet on the hillside.