2019 Shafer 'Relentless' Syrah Napa Valley
Shafer’s 2019 Relentless is a powerhouse Napa Valley Syrah blend, paying homage to winemaker Elias Fernandez and his unwavering dedication. Deep and complex, it opens with bold aromas of grilled meat, black pepper, and roasted almonds. The palate is rich and dynamic, layered with blueberry, black tea, and a touch of wet stone, all framed by firm tannins and vibrant acidity. Built to age, yet irresistible now—this is Relentless at its finest. Secure your bottle today.
“Year in year out, [Shafer] is one of the superstar wineries, not only in Napa Valley and all of California, but in the entire world...Today, this is a winery that does everything about as perfect as can be. They have kept their feet, heads and egos grounded, and continue to kick proverbial ass with every vintage.” – Parker In 1972 John Shafer departed his 23 year career in publishing and moved to the Napa Valley to pursue a second career in wine. Fortuitously, he found a 210 acre parcel in the Stags Leap District and set up shop. His first task at hand was that of replanting the vineyards, some of which dated back to the 1920s. The Shafer family crushed their first Cabernet in 1978 and began building their winery the next year. Needless to say, that first release became not only a benchmark but a legend in its own right. Eventually they expanded their beautiful hillside acreage and in 1983, John's son, Doug Shafer, became winemaker after graduating from U.C. Davis with a degree in enology and viticulture. Since then, Doug has stepped up to becoming the company's president and has passed the winemaking reins over to Elias Fernandez. From their somewhat modest beginnings, Shafer has blossomed into a world-class estate that is nationally and internationally renowned.
Decanter
Powerful and enticing aromas of Kirsch, toasted cedarwood, caramel, and scored herbs draw you into the glass, revealing even more nuances of late-summer mountain scrub brush balanced by springtime violets. Seductively silky Syrah notes of black cherry, blackberry, white pepper, and charcuterie entice the senses. It is a generous wine with a harmoniously soft palate expression balanced by firm, fine-grained tannins, finishing extremely long with crushed cocoa nibs and blood orange acidity. Syrah and Petite Sirah grapes are harvested from ridgetop and foothill sites along the Vaca Mountains, just south of the Stags Leap District AVA border, aged 20 months in 100% new Allier and Tronçais French oak.
Jeb Dunnuck
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.
James Suckling
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. 90% syrah and 10% petit syrah. Better from 2025.