2018 Shafer Relentless Syrah, Napa Valley

The 2018 Relentless might be the finest vintage of this I’ve tasted. Based on 90% Syrah and 10% Petite Sirah, this beauty boasts a saturated purple hue as well as a full-bodied array of ripe blackberries, peppery herbs, smoked game, and spring flowers. Pure, concentrated, and plush, it nevertheless stays graceful and light on its feet, with a great finish. I love it today, but it’s going to keep for 10-15 years.

97 points jebdunnuck.com

A young wine with superb depth and polish that shows great depth and brightness. Full and focused with blue fruit and long, fine tannins that are compact and energetic. Slate. Graphite. Sophisticated and curated. So beautiful to try now, but be patient and open after 2026.

97 points jamessuckling.com

Shafer Relentless Syrah is one of Napa Valley’s modern icons, a bold and impeccably crafted red that marries Syrah’s power with the elegance of carefully grown Petite Sirah. Produced by Shafer Vineyards in the Stags Leap District, Relentless was first released with the 1999 vintage as a tribute to long-time winemaker Elias Fernandez and his tireless pursuit of excellence. It has since earned a reputation as one of California’s great Syrah-based wines, famously winning Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year for the 2008 vintage.

The fruit is sourced from Shafer’s estate vineyards in the cooler southeastern hills of Napa Valley. These sites benefit from warm days and breezy afternoons, which allow Syrah to ripen fully while retaining freshness and structure. The soils are predominantly alluvial with gravel and volcanic influences, offering excellent drainage and concentration. The blend typically consists of around 85 percent Syrah and 15 percent Petite Sirah, the latter adding structure, colour, and depth. The grapes are hand-harvested, destemmed, and fermented in small lots before being aged for about 30 months in new French oak barrels, giving the wine its signature polish and complexity.

In the glass, Relentless is nearly opaque, with aromas of blackberry compote, blueberry, violets, smoked meat, black pepper, and dark chocolate. The palate is full bodied and powerful yet remarkably balanced, with layers of ripe dark fruit, spice, and savoury notes wrapped in velvety tannins. The finish is long and deeply layered, carrying hints of espresso, herbs, and black olive tapenade. It’s a wine that combines muscular intensity with precision, built for both immediate impact and long-term aging.

This Syrah is outstanding with braised short ribs, slow-roasted lamb, venison, or rich dishes like beef Wellington. It also pairs beautifully with earthy mushroom ragù or aged hard cheeses. With its concentration and structure, Relentless can cellar gracefully for 15 to 20 years, evolving into something profoundly complex.