Shafer Relentless 2018, Napa Valley, California

“The ideal 2018 vintage has produced a Relentless that balances richness and vivacity. There’s heft and structure along with mouth-coating flavors that go on and on. Uncork this bottle and you’ll find layers of blackberry compote, red and black spice, dried black fruit, black tea, tobacco, and earthiness. All this liquid midnight comes with an undercarriage of ripe tannin that promises much more beauty and opulence in the decades ahead.” – Shafer winemaker Elias Fernandez. Vineyard location: A small ridgetop site and a foothills site along the Vaca Mountains just south of Stags Leap District. 2018 vintage – 76% Syrah, 24% Petite sirah. Aged 30 months in 100% new 60-gallon French oak barrels. Relentless is a blend of Syrah and Petite Sirah that originates in a rugged, sloping vineyard planted in the chaparral foothills of the Vaca Mountains, along Napa Valley’s drier, cooler southeast corridor. The soul of the wine, though, comes from its namesake, our longtime winemaker, Elias Fernandez, who the Shafer family honors with this proprietary blend for his relentless pursuit of quality.

$109.99