Winemaker Notes
The 2008 is like midnight in a glass. With abundant aromas and flavors of juicy purple fruit, smoked meat, spice, smoke, black plums and berry, it hugs the line between extract and elegance. In the mouth it's full and seamless from first taste through the long finish.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
The best Relentless yet. Shows all the muscle, density, richness and range of flavor found in many Shafer reds, yet takes it to another level in this vintage. The aromatics are full and distinct, with loads of dark berry, charcoal, and then as it unfolds touches of black cherry, raspberry, red and black licorice, sailing along and then firming nicely on the finish. Syrah and Petite Sirah. Best from 2013 through 2023.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Another thoroughbred in the making is the 2008 Relentless. Full-bodied with sensational extract and richness, its opaque purple color is followed by terrific smoky barbecue notes, full-bodied opulence and tremendous depth, power and richness. This stunning Syrah can be drunk over the next 15-20 years.
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Tasting Panel
The field blend of 75% Syrah, 25% Petite Sirah is from a sustainably farmed hillside ranch south of the winery's Stag's Leap District headquarters. On-going layers of plums, meaty-skinned blackberry and a persevering earthy soil and fudge cake texture penetrates to an in-your-face tanacity. But thanks to a creamy determination, the wine is subdued enough to enjoy through thick and thin.
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.