- Last updated on April 3, 2023
Welcome! This is our Shafer Vineyards Relentless review.
Shafer Vineyards Relentless is a premium red wine blend from the Napa Valley region of California, USA.
The wine is a blend of Syrah and Petite Sirah grapes and is aged in French oak barrels for 30 months, resulting in a rich and complex wine.
Find below our Shafer Vineyards Relentless full review along with our food pairings recommendations, serving tips, curiosity, and where you can buy it.
Let’s begin!
Our Shafer Vineyards Relentless Review
- Brand: Shafer Vineyards
- Grape Varietal: Syrah, Petite Sirah
- Region: United States, Napa Valley
- Tasting Notes: Blackberry & Black Cherry fruit notes
- Glass & Serving: Bordeaux / 59-64 °F (15-18 °C) / Decant up to 1 hr
- Store: Up to 7 Years
- Price Range: ~$90
- Bottle Size: 750 ml
Shafer Vineyards Relentless review: What's its color?
Shafer Vineyards Relentless wine has a deep, opaque purple color with a slight ruby hue around the edges with thin slowly falling legs.
If you want to know more about how to taste wine and the lingo that goes with it, check out this article: How To Taste Wine Like a Pro in 4 Steps.
What does Shafer Vineyards Relentless taste like?
Shafer Vineyards Relentless is a blend of Shiraz (76%) and Petite Sirah (24%) grapes aged for 30 months in 100% new 60-gallon French oak barrels.
Is Shafer Vineyards Relentless sweet?
No, it’s not sweet. Shafer Vineyards Relentless wine is a dry wine.
Dry wine contains less than 15 g/L.
Learn more about wine sweetness level here.
Shafer Vineyards Relentless review: Which food pairs well with it?
Shafer Vineyards Relentless is a bold wine with intense flavors, as such, we recommend to pair with equally strong flavor dishes.
Classic appetizers are veal ragu pasta, grilled vegetables, onions and mushroom dishes to name some.
Meat wise go for burgers, BBQ ribs, and lamb for example.
If you are a cheese lover our recommendations for you are semi-hard and blue cheeses like Cheddar and Gorgonzola for example.
Shafer Vineyards Relentless review: What's its alcohol content?
Shafer Vineyards Relentless wine’s alcohol content is 15.8%.
In case you wonder about alcohol content or more precisely Alcohol By Volume, i.e. ABV, measure the alcoholic strength of a drink.
There is a direct relationship between the sugar left in the wine after the alcoholic fermentation has taken place, i.e. Residual Sugar or RS, and ABV.
During alcoholic fermentation, the yeast transforms the sugar in the grape juice into alcohol.
Grapes with high residual sugar will therefore produce dry wine with a high ABV.
How many calories are in a glass of Shafer Vineyards Relentless wine?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture [1] a 5-ounce glass will contain about 120 to 130 calories.
Alcohol contains 7 calories per gram. So a wine with high ABV will have a higher calories per glass than a wine with low ABV.
Furthermore, sugar contributes to the calorie count.
A dry wine will usually have 4 calories per grams vs a sweet wine that will have around 20 calories per grams of carbs, which include sugar.
What is Shafer Vineyards?
Here is an extract from the Shafer Vineyards website:
“The Hope family has been farming in Paso Robles for more than 30 years.
When they arrived in this barely-discovered region, they planted apples and grapes.
Little did they know that the rolling, oak-studded terrain of Paso Robles would one day become a viticultural terroir of significance and one of the top winegrowing regions for quality red wine within the Central Coast.”
Conclusion
Shafer Vineyards Relentless is an exceptional wine that truly represents the quality of Napa Valley winemaking.
The wine’s complex aromas and flavors, as well as its smooth texture and well-integrated tannins, make it a wine to be savored and appreciated.
Its versatility in food pairings also makes it an excellent choice for a variety of occasions, whether enjoyed with a hearty meal or on its own.
Shafer Relentless is a must-try for any wine enthusiast and is a testament to the quality of American winemaking.
Once you had it, we’d love to know your opinion, so reach out and let’s know what you think! Enjoy!
FAQ
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Syrah/Shiraz.
Where does Syrah/Shiraz grow best?
Syrah/Shiraz gives its best in a moderate to cool climate, eg France: Rhône Valley. It is though as well cultivated in warm climates too, e.g. Australia.
When is the perfect time to drink Syrah/Shiraz?
If you have organized a BBQ or have been invited to one, Syrah/Shiraz is your best bet. It will complement perfectly with ribs, burgers, and any other braised or roasted meats.
What are the differences between Syrah vs Shiraz?
Syrah and Shiraz are two different names for the same grape that though produces different styles.
- Syrah is the name used in France and for the “Old World” wine style. It usually has higher acidity, higher tannins, herbaceous and earthy notes, moderate fruit components with tertiary smoke flavors.
- Shiraz is the name used in Australia and for the “New World” wine style. It usually is easier to drink with fewer tannins, higher in alcohol, intense black fruit aromas, with tertiary spice (black pepper) flavors.
