WTN: 2000 Shafer Relentless

[GordonCooks]

In keeping with my New Year’s resolution to record more TN’s

Inky in color, loads of black fruit on the nose that barely eeked by all the alcohol. Very forward with blackberry and cherry and more ‘woody” than “oakey” on the sides with chewy tannins in the middle. Tasted like a D’Arenberg to me. I should have liked this wine more than I did – curse my ever-changing palate

[Redwinger]

I've tasted the 2000 Relentless and also the 1999 (?) and in both cases I found them to be massive and almost uncomfortable to drink. Perhaps they will evolve into something pleasureable with some bottle age, but I'm doubtful they will ever please my palate. Also, as I was tasting these wines, I kept asking myself what food I was would pair with it and couldn't answer that question.

This is not intended as a criticism of the wine nor those who find it tasty...just not a style I enjoy these days.

Redwinger

[Mark Sommelier]

The Relentless is a syrah, as far as I know. Not a meritage. I think it is aimed at the Hillside Select drinkers.

[grandcru]

Gordon, I am a bit confused by your use of Meritage. Were you under the impression that this wine is a Bordeaux blend? It is, in fact, varietally syrah, with a good dollop of petite sirah. If you were using Meritage in some other context, pardon the ring.

I tasted the '99 a few years ago and, like Bill, found it undrinkable. Just too much for my finesse-craving palate. I knew then that unless I heard about something drastically different in the winemaking approach, it would remain a wine I didn't need to track.

[GordonCooks]

My use if the term meritage is mis-leading - I tend to use with all california blends. It was recommeded as a "Rhone" style which was off the mark.

[mike volker]

I think one of the Ca wineries uses melange to designate their rhone blends.

Best,

Mike

[Brad Ballinger]

IIRC, the wine is a blend of syrah and petit sirah. I had the 1999 two years ago (had it twice) and it was (as Redwinger commented -- and he had it with me) a difficult wine to drink.

I've not had the oppotrunity to try any with age on them, but my fear is that the fruit would fade quickly and there'd be lots of wood for whatever was left in the wine to compete with.