Shafer Relentless 2018

Professional Ratings

• 98 Jeb Dunnuck
  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.
  Range: 96-98
• 97 James Suckling

  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.

• 96 Tasting Panel
  In its 20th vintage - and possibly its most dynamic - this blend of 76% Syrah and 24% Petite Syrah aged 30 months in new, 60-gallon French oak barrels. Teeth-gripping, chalky tannins and dried violets flourish while white-peppered blueberry preserves and anise envelop the palate, whose balanced and structured density is mind-blowing.
• 94 Wine Spectator
  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.
• 92 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

  The 2018 Relentless tilts more towards Petite Sirah than many vintages, being a blend of 76% Syrah and 24% Petite Sirah, all aged 30 months in 100% new French oak. Scents of road tar, black olive and blackberries mark the nose, while the palate is full-bodied and framed by cedary notes, reasonably supple but tannic, then picks up an appealing licorice note on the finish. Best After 2023.