Shafer Vineyards

Relentless Napa Valley Syrah Petite Sirah

9.476 ratings
9.112 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Syrah, Petite Sirah
Lamb, Tomato-Based, Potato, White Rice, Pungent Cheese, Pasta, Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Salami & Prosciutto, Beef, Chili & Hot Spicy, Mushrooms, Hard Cheese, Pork, Venison
Top Notes For
Shay A
9.4

Mark and I agreed to meet up at Classic this afternoon for some quick wine drinking, but it eventually turned in to a small wine gathering! Wine is great, but sharing it with others is so enjoyable.

Talk about big boy wine. I've never gotten so much charcoal on the nose of a wine before. Hour 1? Decent. Hour 2? Fairly good. Hour 3? Could have chugged this like a frat party it was so good. Charcoal dusted blackberry pie, plums, graphite. The 3-hour mark gave it a Graham cracker sweetness that moved the score up. Thanks,
@Mark Flesher !

Mark and I agreed to meet up at Classic this afternoon for some quick wine drinking, but it eventually turned in to a small wine gathering! Wine is great, but sharing it with others is so enjoyable.

Talk about big boy wine. I've never gotten so much charcoal on the nose of a wine before. Hour 1? Decent. Hour 2? Fairly good. Hour 3? Could have chugged this like a frat party it was so good. Charcoal dusted blackberry pie, plums, graphite. The 3-hour mark gave it a Graham cracker sweetness that moved the score up. Thanks,
@Mark Flesher !

Aug 4th, 2017
Joe Lucca

Fantastic juice... However, right now the wine is shut down. The nose is rich and smoky, brooding almost. However the fruit is hiding away and being overshadowed by the firm tannic structure. I had this upon release and it was shot out of a canon. Needs another few years to come back into balance. Patience will be rewarded here.

Fantastic juice... However, right now the wine is shut down. The nose is rich and smoky, brooding almost. However the fruit is hiding away and being overshadowed by the firm tannic structure. I had this upon release and it was shot out of a canon. Needs another few years to come back into balance. Patience will be rewarded here.

1 person found it helpfulDec 28th, 2015
Rodolphe Péters

Winemaker Champagne Pierre Péters

8.8

Far too heavy for my European taste

Far too heavy for my European taste

Oct 24th, 2015
Christophe Hedges

Huh. Mass. I've. Scared.

Huh. Mass. I've. Scared.

Aug 17th, 2014
Kenneth Gustavsson

Too much.

Too much.

Mar 22nd, 2014
Kevin Atticks

Good upon opening, best on day three!

Good upon opening, best on day three!

Nov 28th, 2013
Fernando Motta

Martes familiar con el #1 del Top 100 del Wine Spectator. Verdaderamente AON!

Martes familiar con el #1 del Top 100 del Wine Spectator. Verdaderamente AON!

Sep 25th, 2013
Brian Hearty

2008. Bought two bottles on release before the WS rating more than doubled the price. We really enjoyed the first bottle three years ago, and this bottle was even better. Beautiful color, fruity middle, big but smooth tannins, and a hint of the elevated alcohol on the finish.

2008. Bought two bottles on release before the WS rating more than doubled the price. We really enjoyed the first bottle three years ago, and this bottle was even better. Beautiful color, fruity middle, big but smooth tannins, and a hint of the elevated alcohol on the finish.

Jan 20th, 2022
John Malcolm

Blackberries, black cherries, plums, pepper, spices, and a hint of bittersweet chocolate. Bursting with energy.

Blackberries, black cherries, plums, pepper, spices, and a hint of bittersweet chocolate. Bursting with energy.

Jan 1st, 2021
Brian

Great Syrah. Perfect amount of fruit. If I’m not mistaken, this vintage was wine spectators wine if the year a few years back.

Great Syrah. Perfect amount of fruit. If I’m not mistaken, this vintage was wine spectators wine if the year a few years back.

Nov 26th, 2020