Shafer Vineyards
Relentless Napa Valley Syrah Petite Sirah
Napa Valley, California, USA
2013 is a monster. Has years to go. Big, deep, structured. Big fruit of dark berries, olive, dried leaves,… tasted over 3 days.
2013 is a monster. Has years to go. Big, deep, structured. Big fruit of dark berries, olive, dried leaves,… tasted over 3 days.
Nov 26th, 2022
It’s so rich and layered it’s like a dessert you never want to end. It’s got some dark fruit you and could probably age 100 yrs and still be layered and rich. The color was like a dark purple and bright around the edges like St Macairre. Really one of the best wines. Thanks Elise and David for making this happen.
It’s so rich and layered it’s like a dessert you never want to end. It’s got some dark fruit you and could probably age 100 yrs and still be layered and rich. The color was like a dark purple and bright around the edges like St Macairre. Really one of the best wines. Thanks Elise and David for making this happen.
Jan 2nd, 2018
In 1979 John Shafer founded Shafer Vineyards in the Stags Leap District of Napa. A blend of 97% Syrah & 3% Petite Sirah, notably small PS% which varies each year. The work of Elias Fernandez, fruit from La Mesa Vineyard, a ridgetop of shallow soils & volcanic ash. Stunning red with full black fruit aromas and pepper spice with floral edge. On the palate blackberry flavors, spice, oak and earthy notes. Big fine tannins, vivid acidity, good balance on lingering finish ending with cacao tones. Will cellar well.
In 1979 John Shafer founded Shafer Vineyards in the Stags Leap District of Napa. A blend of 97% Syrah & 3% Petite Sirah, notably small PS% which varies each year. The work of Elias Fernandez, fruit from La Mesa Vineyard, a ridgetop of shallow soils & volcanic ash. Stunning red with full black fruit aromas and pepper spice with floral edge. On the palate blackberry flavors, spice, oak and earthy notes. Big fine tannins, vivid acidity, good balance on lingering finish ending with cacao tones. Will cellar well.
Dec 30th, 2017
Visually, this is as dark as the night is black. The perfume is equally intense with mulberries, brambles, blackberries and kirsch.
The palette is perfectly delineated with black cherries, black olives, a hint of cloves and anise. Absent is the peppery signature that typically comes along for the ride. It is seamlessly woven, with polished tannins that are already well integrated. 15.8% abv which is not apparent at all. This is a top-shelf syrah that should not be missed.
No cash-box aesthetics here, just exceptional winemaking and a sense of place. Remarkable.
Visually, this is as dark as the night is black. The perfume is equally intense with mulberries, brambles, blackberries and kirsch.
The palette is perfectly delineated with black cherries, black olives, a hint of cloves and anise. Absent is the peppery signature that typically comes along for the ride. It is seamlessly woven, with polished tannins that are already well integrated. 15.8% abv which is not apparent at all. This is a top-shelf syrah that should not be missed.
No cash-box aesthetics here, just exceptional winemaking and a sense of place. Remarkable.
Tried it right after the one point five and I'm floored. A wine of tremendous quality. Full structure with Napa fruit. Beast doesn't even do it justice.
Tried it right after the one point five and I'm floored. A wine of tremendous quality. Full structure with Napa fruit. Beast doesn't even do it justice.
1 person found it helpfulOct 17th, 2016
The wine needs a hard splash decant or a couple hours of air to show its purity. The least petite sirah ever in a relentless and I'm digging the style more
The wine needs a hard splash decant or a couple hours of air to show its purity. The least petite sirah ever in a relentless and I'm digging the style more
Aug 11th, 2016
I have definitely not enough Shafer....
I have definitely not enough Shafer....
Apr 18th, 2021Always amazing and drinking so well right now. Decanted for 30 minutes prior to our filet mignon dinner. Paired perfectly. Love Shafer wines!
Always amazing and drinking so well right now. Decanted for 30 minutes prior to our filet mignon dinner. Paired perfectly. Love Shafer wines!
Jan 9th, 2021
Inky black, plums and graphite. Opening up very nicely, incredibly flavorful with a long lingering finish.
Inky black, plums and graphite. Opening up very nicely, incredibly flavorful with a long lingering finish.
Feb 17th, 2020
Wow, smokey, dark fruit and syrah to the bone. Tobacco, black cherry,
overripe red apple peel, and graphite on the nose. Quite high alcohol on the palate, so the 15.8% shines through.
Wow, smokey, dark fruit and syrah to the bone. Tobacco, black cherry,
overripe red apple peel, and graphite on the nose. Quite high alcohol on the palate, so the 15.8% shines through.