SHAFER RELENTLESS - 2008

Syrah and Petite Sirah blend from Napa Valley, CA.  15.6% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Big, bold, vibrant and youthful.  Dark inky red with blackberry, black cherry, black licorice, black pepper. Silky but tannic.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

92 PTS
The critics have gone wild for this wine scoring it 95 points or higher but it definitely does not reach that kind of altitude for me, at least not yet.  Perhaps this wine will inspire awe years from now, but it is not hitting its stride. It has promise.  The deep concentrated, saturated red doesn't quite come together with tannin and alcohol. The oak is in check. The fruit is there. For $55 a bottle I'd recommend Gorman's Evil Twin over this offering which is already performing like a 1st round draft pick.