96pts James Suckling

Powerful and compact with aromas of blackberry liqueur, dark plums, smoked meats, peppercorn and graphite. Full-bodied and deeply structured with dense dark fruit, savory spices and muscular tannins that build across the palate. Intense and age-worthy with a long, powerful finish. Made from 90% syrah and 10% petite sirah. Best from 2030.

95pts Vinous

The 2022 Relentless is another superb wine from Shafer in this brutally challenging year. Deep and explosive to the core, the 2022 is seriously impressive. There's a center of strength here that is palpable. Dark red/purplish fruit, lavender, cloves and blood orange all build into the deep, resonant finish. This is so impressive.

94pts Jeb Dunnuck

Harvested early in the heat, the 2022 Syrah Relentless (90% Syrah and 10% Petite Sirah) is ripe and juicy, with other red and black fruits, peppery herbs, violets, spice, and incense-like aromas and flavors. This richly textured, full-bodied 2022 has sweet, velvety tannins and a great finish.
Range: 92-94

93pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Still in barrel, the 2022 Relentless is a co-fermented blend of 90% Syrah and 10% Petite Sirah. It shows some of the effects of the early September heat wave in its notes of baked blackberries combined with hints of menthol and white pepper on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is silky but firm, finishing with a tart edge. Barrel Sample: 91-93

93pts Wine Spectator

Ripe and lush, this red offers ample savory elements of dried violet, cured meat and wild herbs to comple- ment the hibiscus-accented berry and plum center, while spiced chocolate notes fill out the broad finish. Syrah and Petite Sirah.

Winemaker Notes

The 2022 Relentless offers an exquisite balance of concentration with elegance. Layers of juicy black plum, wild berry compote, and black licorice exhibit complexity and tension with crushed stone, garrigue, and sage brush. Ideal ripeness and racy acidity add lift to its core. Richly pleasurable now, this vintage will evolve magnificently over the next 20 – 30 years.

Blend: 90% Syrah, 10% Petite Sirah