2006 Relentless®
Release date: September 1, 2009
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 2006 Relentless is a juicy feast of black plum, blackberries, meatiness, coffee, briar fruit, black pepper and mocha. The ripe tannins bring it all together for a delicious, long-lasting finish,” says Shafer winemaker Elias Fernandez.
2006 Relentless® – Reviews
“The 2006 Relentless may be even better [than 2005]. It possesses an opaque purple hue as well as a grapy, smoky perfume, displaying scents of roasted meats, blackberries, licorice, and charcoal. This packed and stacked, full-bodied 2006 should drink beautifully for 10-15 years”
– Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
