2009 Shafer Relentless

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My wife Chris had a birthday.  She turned 29 years old (again).  I am lucky to have such a youthful wife!

I tried to figure out a gift but it seems the longer we have been together, the harder it gets gifting one another other.  Generally if we want something we just go and buy it.  I was taking Chris to a new place for us to try for dinner.  The restaurant is called OsteriaINonni (We’ll future it in our restaurant reviews soon).   Before we headed out I wanted to share a glass of wine with her and talk about her day.  Since she is a fan of Syrah I thought I would open something really nice and while wandering down to our cellar I had a good idea what I was going to choose.

I choose a bottle of the 2009 Shafer Relentless.IMG_1267

When Chris showed up and saw the bottle I could see a glitter in her eye and a big smile.

Sight
As I looked at the Syrah in my glass.  The hue was dark purple.  The color depth was deep and its clarity was clear.

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Smell
I noticed right away that the Syrah was very aromatic and fruity.  I could smell dark fruit (plum and berries), oak, and spice.

Taste
Wow, this Relentless Syrah was dry and full-bodied while the acidity was lively.  The tannins were medium and slightly astringent and as I taste the wine it was like silk.  I initially felt it in my mid palate, but as the finish faded it was more towards the back of my palate.  This wine was very balanced and elegant.

The blend is 82% Syrah and 18% Petite Syrah.

abv: 15.8 (Yes it is a high one)

How much: $75.00 from the Shafer Estate.

I rated the 2009 Shafer Relentless four glasses.  We truly enjoyed this wine.  We saved just enough to have a glass each for dinner the following day.  A day after with proper care, the Relentless was still excellent!

Notes from the back of the bottle describing Relentless:  This wine honors Elias Fernandez, our winemaker of more than 25 years, whose relentless pursuit of quality epitomizes the Shafer spirit.  This blend was created in the vineyard when we planted Syrah and Petite Syrah on our sustainably farmed hillside ranch just south of Stags Leap District.

 

In Vino Veritas!

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