Shafer 2010 Relentless Napa Valley
We went to visit my sister-in-law Cindy, who is recuperating from a bad fall that broke her shoulder. I wanted to make her dinner and bring a nice bottle of wine, so I reached for Shafer’s Relentless. Shafer is an outstanding Napa Valley winery that makes exceptional wines. Shafer’s beginnings trace back to 1972, when publishing industry veteran John Shafer move to Napa and set down roots by purchasing a 210 acre estate in the Stags Leap District, and replanted the vineyard, which dated back to the 1920’s. Shafer had their first crush in 1978, producing 1,000 cases, and a year later began construction on their winery. Today Shafer produces over 32,000 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot and Syrah.
Getting to Shafer’s 2010 Relentless, it is a blend of 96% Syrah and 4% Petite Sirah, which is a more bucolic grape than Syrah, providing for a blend that becomes an extraordinarily lush and rich wine. The grapes, grown in a gravelly clay loam, are sourced from a rugged and remote part of the estate. The wine spends 30 months on new French oak barrels and another 8 months in the bottle before being released. After witnessing a deep purple color when pouring into a glass, the aromatic aromas are graceful and provocative with concentrated dark berry fruit and a hint of smoky spice. The layered flavors explode on your palate and the subtle tannins relax to a nice lingering finish, wanting you craving for more. This is certainly one of the best Syrah’s I have tasted. It may seem a little pricey at $70, but well worth it if you want something memorable, but hey, this is SippingFineWine.com!
The Relentless, being such a powerhouse, complements dishes with layers of flavors as I served a five-spiced rubbed salmon, slow grilled, with a maple glaze finish. Please check out the Shafer Website and look at some of the fine recipes that Annette Shafer offers.
Cheers!