2005 Relentless®
Release date: August 31, 2008 Suggested California retail: $70.00
“Shafer’s annual contribution to the Rhône gene pool is one incredible Syrah.” – Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast
This wine honors long-time Shafer Winemaker Elias Fernandez and his relentless pursuit of quality. Sourced from ridgetop and foothills vineyards adjacent to the southern border of Stags Leap District, the grapes for Relentless are a “field blend” of Syrah and Petite Sirah.
Syrah and Petite Sirah for Relentless are grown side by side in vineyard blocks that offer a variety of sun exposures throughout the day, including steep eastern blocks for lots of morning sun and westward sloping blocks, offering midday and late day solar exposure. Thanks to its thin, powdery volcanic soil and quick runoff the vineyard consistently delivers effusive flavors.
Relentless is a wine that is literally blended in the vineyard. At harvest the Syrah and Petite Sirah varieties are picked, crushed, fermented and barrel aged together.
Winemaker’s Notes
“The flavors and aromas are immense, round, mouthfilling and long-lived with a luscious blend of rich blackberry, black plums, meatiness from the Syrah and a dose of blueberry from the Petite Sirah. The tannins are ripe and long-lived, with a lengthy, pleasing finish,” Fernandez says.
2005 Relentless® – Reviews
“The sensational 2005 Relentless boasts an opaque purple color along with a wonderfully sweet nose of blackberries, creosote, acacia flowers, and hints of pepper and meat in the background. Full-bodied and densely concentrated with the oak component well-concealed by the wine’s extravagant richness ...”
– Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
“Brimming with spicy, zesty wild berry, pepper, mineral and fresh earth flavors presented in a tight, focused, concentrated manner. Finishes with firm tannins and good length.”
– James Laube, Wine Spectator
“This field blend includes 22 percent Petite Sirah which, contributes mightily to this wine’s depth, richness and full body. Show, round, dark fruit, blueberry, roasted nuts, sandalwood and licorice aromas. There are similar flavors plus tart blue-black fruit, which keeps it from being overdone. Balanced, with guts and power.”
– San Francisco Chronicle
