Shafer Relentless 2018 | 750 ml.

JS97 JamesSuckling.com Tuesday, August 9, 2022

"A young wine with superb depth and polish that shows great depth and brightness. Full and focused with blue fruit and long, fine tannins that are compact and energetic. Slate. Graphite. Sophisticated and curated. So beautiful to try now, but be patient and open after 2026." (97 pts.)

SP94 Wine Spectator Apr 30, 2022

"A compelling blend that marries deep structure with richness and polish. Features accents of black cherry, grilled anise and smoked pepper, with refined tannins on the finish. Syrah and Petite Sirah. Drink now through 2032. 3,300 cases made. (Tim Fish)" (94 pts.)

RP92+ Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate 27th Nov 2019

"Deep purple-black colored, the 2018 Relentless is a barrel-sample blend of 90% Syrah and 10% Petite Sirah. It sings of crushed black cherries, mulberries and black plums plus cracked pepper, garrigue, lavender, Indian spices and licorice hints. The palate is full-bodied, firm, spicy and energetic with rounded tannins and a long, peppery finish. (Lisa Perrotti-Brown)" (92–94 pts.)

JD96+ Jeb Dunnuck 1/27/2021

"A blend of 94% Syrah and 6% Petite Sirah, the 2018 Relentless looks to be just about sensational, offering a dense purple color as well as rich, loaded notes of blackberries, currants, smoked meats, peppery spice, and violets. Reminding me of a great Cornas on steroids with its gamy, exotic character paired with beautiful richness, it has fabulous purity, ripe, polished tannins, and a great finish. This will undoubtedly be a great vintage for this cuvée, and my money is on it being one of the best yet. (Jeb Dunnuck)" (96–98 pts.)

VN95 Vinous Jan 2022

"The 2018 Relentless is silky and polished. In 2018 the blend includes a relatively high percentage of Petit Syrah, but the wine does not taste like that at all. Ripe red/purplish berry fruit, lavender, rose petal, black pepper and sweet spice are laced into the super-expressive finish. This might be the most refined Relentless ever. (Antonio Galloni)" (95 pts.)