Had with Easter dinner casual mini meatloaf, potatoes and corn. A little rough at the open decent in the middle and ended with sediment. The 2000 we drank recently was better.
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Very impressive for the age - this has a great core of fruit still but has the lovely developed smoke and meatiness of fine Syrah; tannins fully resolved, perfectly delicious. We didn't decant (though there was a fine sediment) and the wine was still opening up as we finished the last glass.
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Bright, dark, youthful looking purple, which was promising from the outset. Deep blackberry bramble leafy tea aromas and flavors. Some forestry woody notes, but not age-related. Still lots of ripe, persistent tannins yet to fully resolve. Very fine sediment. Can go another 5, even 10 years maybe. Excellent drinking right now.
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The wine looks inky colored. The legs are medium. There is light sediment in the bottle. It smells like blackberry, red currant, plum and fig. The body is medium/full. The wine has polished texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has medium acidity.
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Tremendously impressive on this night. Although the grip on this feels like many more years somehow I get the feeling it will never be better than it is right now. Love the blue fruit on this. This wine is starting to develop semi Cote Rotieish Port/fat notes which I find enchanting. Overall.... what an outstanding effort.
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Wow. Not very Shiraz like at all. Come across much younger than it is.will definitely develop or a decade or even more. The alcohol is a bit intrusive, but the total experience is very good.
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Deep, dark maroon color. Blackberries, smoked meat, black pepper, licorice, Asian spices, vanilla, dark chocolate, and fresh ground coffee on the very inviting and exotic nose. Medium to full body with fairly solid, ripe tannins and nice acidity. A big hit of berries on the palate then waves of savory elements grab the palate. Long, lingering finish with the spicy berries giving way to the dark chocolate and espresso. Outstanding!
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No mistaking this for anything but New World Syrah... big, juicy, almost sweet, but not. If anything since the last bottle, this has gotten bigger. Maybe a few more years resting would make this more to my liking. Or maybe not. Well made, but a style I don't have a hankering for anymore. At the Playground.
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Popped and poured. Black as night. Deep earthy nose, showing smoked meat, white pepper, blackberry, and camphor notes. The palate is rich and spicy, with a heaviness that borders on being ponderous and a little cloying. The 20% petite syrah in the blend may be contributing to the muddled palate and lack of acidity or focus. Long finish, with a little heat.
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Blackberry, boysenberry, camphor and wet rock on the nose. Palate really unfolded after several hours in the decanter. Juicy blackberries galore, with notes of anise and smoke. Decent acidity and chewy tannins. Still something of a beast at age 10 -- has a long life ahead of it. Paired well with a spicy bbq sauce.
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An old favorite delivers again. Still extremely rich black fruit and exotic spice dominating this wine, but it's starting to show its age, developing some earthy notes, too.
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This wine didn't live up to previous bottles as the fruit is in decline. Would have been better decanted because by the time we got to the last glass it was open and showing better, but, if you got em drink em.
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Outstanding, and many years left (still a baby!), this was an amazing Cali Syrah in my opinion - Black, full bodied with a nose of blueberry, pepper, plum, leather, meat, spice and vanilla, very well structured, quite integrated but still very youthful, complex, sweet, smooth on the palate with excellent length, awesome (93 Points).
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Not a great choice paired with pasta. Nevertheless a nice mature wine. Some dark plum mixed with gamey, meaty flavors. The petite sirah component is felt on the finish, with some burley residual tannins.
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Decanted for an hour. Poured out darker than David Lynch's mind. A wonderful, big wine that became tamer as the evening went on. Could sleep for the next 5+ years but if you like your wines with some hair on 'em , enjoy now.
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Dinner at Seaquam's (Vancouver, BC): Very dark, almost black in the glass. Nice dark fruit on the nose, with some blueberry, strawberry jam, and tons of black pepper. The spicy-ness comes through strong on the palette (clove/pepper), along with some tart black cherry and vanilla bean. The alcohol shows on the finish, similar to the finish on a nice vodka. Despite that, there is a long, dry finish. Very good.
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Still pours jet-black, not decanted. About an hour after opening this showed extraordinarily well. Lush, rich and full, but not chewy in the sense of many new-world syrah-based wines. Though 5 hours after opening the wine lost some of its depth, this still has a sold life ahead of it. Sadly my last bottle.
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This has become more approachable on opening, but still should decant. Big difference when aerated before drinking. Complex dark fruit, leather, earth, spice. Still firm tannins, but they are part of the pleasure. Great Relentless.
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bacon, tar, blueberry, expansive on the palate, tannins are present but very well integrated at this time. could last a couple of more years but no need to wait 93pts
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20 minute decant and consumed over an hour. inky blue/purple/black in the glass. an enormous nose of blueberry compote, cassis, and game. from the moment you stick your nose in there you know this is massive. the palate is richly textured with deeply concentrated blue and black fruits, and the finish brings in a nice chocolate note to complement everything the nose and palate suggested. the tannins were integrated well, and this is in a great drinking window, although i'd suspect it has another 5-7 years left.
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Popped, decanted and drank. Last one and I'm sorry I opened it cause there ain't no mo'! Really good syrah with detail (odly enough) added by the petite. Too bad I thought it was one of 2 when it was really 1 of 1.
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Deep tanzanite color leads to a nose of blackberry, bramble, and vanilla. Full body carries loads of black fruit, some nice tar and smoked pork all wrapped in sweet vanilla.
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Dinner with Bernard Burtschy (Taberna del Alabardero): Much more in check that the RC Cherry Camp we drank, the Shafer seems a bit 4-square in comparison but much more pleasurable to drink. Dark fruits with some oak still lingering with a solid structure and present tannins. Maybe this needs more time to emerge?
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Very dark. making me think it much younger than it is. Served blind, I was thinking Cab. Extremely well balanced, with no rough edges at all. Red/dark red fruit profile. Just a hint of vanilla, something I usually don't like, but here it was spot on. Amazingly easy to drink with spaghetti, which was a very good match.
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Relentless is probably my favorite bottle of CA red. The wine was great, but I was hoping for more. It was a bit flat. I am not sure if that was because it is in an akward stage or if it going past it's peak
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How could this be any better? Amazing, had it with grilled lamb chops again! Aired about an hour. (Post Script- I'm usually close to Tanzer but not tonight....maybe he needs to try it again)
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This wine was opened and decanted in a magnum decanter for 1-2 hours. Then was drank after dinner on the deck. WOW -- it was killer juice bursting with soft berries and vanilla! Can't wait for my last bottle.
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Dark as a cloudy, moonless night. Explosive nose from the get go. Huge black fruit, flowers, pepper and spice, with a tiny hint of sweaty sock. Really nice nose, not shy, but not one dimensional either. First impression on the palate was that it was a bit lighter on its feet than I would have guessed it to be. Constrained fruit, a bit weak mid palate, and some bitterness on the finish does it no favors. Will report back later after a longer decant time. Hoping it improves. Very good nose, but not close to matching that in taste. Update: 24 hours later, taste got slightly better, but the nose largely died. There was no flaw in this bottle, there is just nothing about it that brings it above barely good. Shut down? I don't think so, there is simply not that much fruit.
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Final Four Blind Knockout (matt's house, highland park IL): nose: massive nose filled with black cherries, dark berry tones, red and black currants, with hiints of spices and some minty tones. Very deep and primal with a whole lot of depth and is very expressive
taste: massive tannins and feel with rich tones of black cherries, loads of black fruits, bits of oak, dark berries and black currant jam
overall: big, bold, and rich, this gets right in your face and is no holds barred. Great depth with a rich medium/full feel with really big tannins
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The petite syrah in this blend really shows in the inky bluish black color. The aromas are a wonderful mix of black berry, lavender, rose, chocolate and pepper. The flavors come at you in layers of blackberry, currant, tar, roast meat, vanilla, pepper, coffee, chocolate. This is a wine to really chew on, with its full bodied complexity with loads of structure, great balance and great integration. The finish goes on and on.
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Completely different notes than before as I decanted this for an hour and there were no objectionable notes at all! The wine was a pure example of Syrah in the glass and cut the 4 cheese mac & cheese and bar-b-qued spicy chicken perfectly and the sweetness and spice of the food were a match. Had this on Friday and left some in the decanter to see what would happen and on Sunday it was more mellow and smooth that Friday at dinner. Just a great Syrah.
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Consitently strong syrah effort. Deep dark color with lots of extracted fruit - black berry, black cherry and dark plum. Aromas of black fruit, vanialla, biolet and black pepper. Beautifully integrated tannins create a long lush 30 second finish. Paired wonderfully with New York Strip with creole mustard sauce.
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1st bottle from case. Inky Black/Purple, obviously unfiltered. Day 1: Popped and tasted. Very closed. Blackberry and tannic finish. Day 2: 2nd glass, opening a little, still dark fruit but coffee and less tannins. Day 3: killed the bottle with steaks from the grill. Well it is still in need of time, but much more expressive. Tannins had softened and blackberries, raspberries, blueberries came through with leather and coffee. Massive wine but not over-the-top sweet. It has years to go.
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Contemplative nose of rich, red briary fruit, eucalyptus and menthol. Midpalate is a bit angular, but shows concentrated black cherry, spiced plum and pepper flavors. Finishes with good length but with a good dose of fine, chalky tannin and sweet oak. The 20% Petite Sirah blend assets itself in the back end. Probably a year or so from showing at it's best. Hold.
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Color is a deep purple. The nose shows coco power, oak, and black fruits. The palate is a silky mix of chocolate, blackberries, vanilla, and pepper. It almost has a confectionary like flavor to it. The finish has a long viscous coating effect with a blackberry liquor feel to it. Overall a wonderful new world 80% Syrah and 20% Petite Sirah blend that is quite hedonistic. To me it has mellowed a bit with age and is drinking well now.
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A bottle of this drunk in 2006 was beautiful and seducing, another bottle in 2007 was undrinkable. This time around its more like the one from 2006, but a bit toned down. Still purple in color. Nose of blackcurrant, blueberries, vanilla and coffee. At first bitter, but becomes round, smooth and seducing with air. Not extremely complex, but with poise and balance.
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Big super dark, no rim at all. Deep, dark purple. When decanted there was a great dark fruit presence with some oak on the nose. Left in the decanter for 6 hours. For me this wine was either not ready or just not balanced, and I was disappointed. There was some fruit, but it seemed masked by the heat of white pepper and oak... maybe it just needs another 5 years to integrate, but I'll never know as it was my last bottle. I left a glass for the next day to see what happens.
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Dense deep red with purple at the rim still. Ripe fruit on the nose giving way to a spicy vanilla oakiness. Big wine. Sweet fruit and oak. I think the creamy oak (30 months apparently) overdone - at the moment I wouldn't really have picked it as a syrah; Californian is the characteristic that stands out, might have been a Cali-cab. Needs five years yet, don't know whether the oak will integrate properly, but if it does it will be a nice drink. Certainly ok now but just a bit overdone. **(*1/2)
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Dark, dark, dark purple with a slight red rim. Firm nose of dark berries and a little tartness as an edge, with a wafting in and out of some earthy components. Pretty much hitting on all cylinders with a bright entry, a frim grip at mid palate and a lovely finish. Layers of fruit texture to enjoy...and a very assertive personality.
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Very tight wine. poped and poured but nothing going on, decanted and tried hourly. around the third hour the nose started to emerge. vnilla, and blueberry. still tight in the mouth, with tannins, blueberry and a slightly bitter finish. HOLD
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This was incredible. Very dark and brambly with blueberry and blackberry flavors. At first the finishhad a flinty mineral like characteristic. After an hour or so, it smoothed right out but still retained some teeth. Purple color and dense. It will be interesting to see this wine in a few years.
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Not sure if this was corked or just extremely closed. Either way it was undrinkable. Hard, austere, no fruit, tasted and smelled like wet wood. No where near previous bottles.
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Full opaque black/purple. Tight bright black/blueberry fruit with asphalt hints on the nose. Huge Mouthful of zingy bright tight black fruit and tar. Could probably use some time to smooth out.
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Big, fat and rich. Dark purple. I can see its appeal, but this very extracted, alcoholic Syrah seems a bit over the top. Although the fruit was present, the smokey, meaty, peppery, dark fruit flavors of the grape wereoverwhelmed by the oak and alcohol. In fairness, this bottle was purchased at a restaurant (Capital Grille) and was only decanted for about 30 minutes before being tasted. It was also served too warm (shame!), and was clearly not stored in ideal conditions. It seemed more like an "in your face" Shiraz, than a California Syrah. Easy to drink, a bit hot and not much to think about. This wine might need another year or so to come together. BTW - My rating on the Capital Grille: 87 points.
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Haven't opened one for a few months but I still love it. Has a beautiful nose and and a smooth velvety texture. Wonderful mouthfeel with a 45+ second finish. Dark fruits, asphalt and vanilla overwhelm this dark purple (if not black) monster. Restrained no, delicious yes. If you like 'em subtle steer clear.
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Double decanted for four hours. Served with braised lamb shanks. Absolutely opaque and bloody dark purple. Big nose with some tar and asphalt and coffee. Not overly complicated palate with meaty flavors and some bacon fat and cassis. Chalky tannins but not very complex or interesting. Just a big drink and not my cup of tea.
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Good wine, but definitely needs more time. At first was fairly tannic, closed and almost chalky, but after an hour and a half it really started to open up and even out.
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Did not decanter but enjoyed this fine wine over a period of several hours. Very full appearance in the glass but wonderful dark fruit flavor at first taste and throughout.
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Dark purple color and thick colored tears. Intense nose of blueberries, blackberries, pepper and coffee. Concentrated and full-bodied, but very seamless and extremely seductive. Objectively it would only rate 94-95, but it's just so unbelievable enjoyable... Served with Weber-grilled hickory-smoked beef striploin with a garden salad. Rating: 96
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Restaurant purchase. Pop and pour. Notes consistent with prior tastings, but didn't have the oppty to really open up much at all. Also seemed a little spicier then I recall from last time. Still, this has the capacity to last quite some time, and an enjoyable opening wine for the evening.
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Had the '02 Relentless tailgating before an outdoor concert last night. The wine was decanted 2hrs at home before being poured into a thermos for transport. 2hrs later we sat in lawn chairs and ate steak fajitas while drinking this wine out of 16 ounce red plastic cups. Wow... was that a great bottle (thermos) of wine. The inky purple color was easy to spot against the white inside of the cups and even without the Reidel stems, the aroma was overpowering. Lots of luscous fruit flavors, no hard edges or overly tanic bite. Loved it loved it loved it.
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2002 Shafer Relentless: decanted 3 hours, upon opening the nose was a dead ringer for the 02 Shafer reg Cab, however, after 3 hours, the nose took on more of a syrah like quality of beef, pepper and dark berry. Very interesting. Tannins sting the toungue upon the wine entering the mouth, dark fruit, pepper and spice, beef, and heat fill the tasting. Finish is of huge tannins burning the toungue, and disapating (sp?) fruit. Now- 82pts. I would wait at least 3 more years before opening this up, the 01 is still in a waiting phase as well. The 99 is showing beautifully. Interesting note, why is it that every Shafer wine from multiple vintages (97-02) in my cellar registers 14.9% alcohol. From the 99 HSS to the 04 Chard?????????
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Incredibly dense and concentrated. Impenetrable, teeth staining and a deep purple rim. Creamy, rich wild blueberry with a scent of vanilla. Finishes long but with reasonably thick, course tannins (2 point demerit)
First bottle from a case. I can't wait to watch this evolve. It certainly has the stuffing so if the finish rounds out a little, watch out!
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Blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Petite Sirah. Purple, almost black in color. Aromas/flavors blackberry, black cherry, vanilla, violet and black pepper. Long, firm tannins produce a very balanced wine with a long 30+ second finish.
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Restaurant purchase; decanted and consumed over 90 minutes. A heavier decant or more air time would have been better, as this really took at least an hour to open up. Was very tight and tannic early on, softening up towards the end. Great wine with gobs of mellow black fruits, chocolate and fine tannins.
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Tasted March 11, 2006 by itself at a retail wine tasting. Opened and served immediately in a Riedel “restaurant series” Syrah glass. Hold onto your hats. We’ve definitely left the Rhone and landed in California. Dark purple, almost crimson color in the glass with a clear hue throughout. Huge nose of dark fruits, coffee, blueberry, mocha and yet more and more coffee! Flavors of, you guessed it, expresso with black cherries and black berries. Can be drank now but I think I’d hold for a couple of years. Plenty of structure here to last for 10 years in my opinion. Recommended.
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Janette loved this wine. Smoky, with fresh berries and jammy berries, sweet oak, and spices, pepper and caraway seed, on the nose. Tasting it gives all that fruit and complexity again in a big version of the nose. Not ordinary, very distinctive. I like the DuMol syrahs quite a bit, too, but this really does outshine them. Buy.
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3/31/2024 - bigbass250 Likes this wine:
Had with Easter dinner casual mini meatloaf, potatoes and corn. A little rough at the open decent in the middle and ended with sediment. The 2000 we drank recently was better.
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12/10/2023 - vespasian Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very impressive for the age - this has a great core of fruit still but has the lovely developed smoke and meatiness of fine Syrah; tannins fully resolved, perfectly delicious. We didn't decant (though there was a fine sediment) and the wine was still opening up as we finished the last glass.
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9/10/2022 - Buddy318 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Still very good but likely not a lot of time left. Soft tannins and stone fruits
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5/1/2021 - Grapetomeetyou wrote:
2002 in 2021 still strong 2 hour decant
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5/16/2020 - RumRunner Likes this wine: 96 Points
Really nice now. Calm tannins and dried fruit flavors. Patience is rewarded.
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4/24/2020 - Enworb Likes this wine: 90 Points
Still very much alive with, imho, no need for further cellaring. Will drink my last bottle of the case before the year is out.
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5/19/2019 - pgm wrote: 94 Points
Bright, dark, youthful looking purple, which was promising from the outset. Deep blackberry bramble leafy tea aromas and flavors. Some forestry woody notes, but not age-related. Still lots of ripe, persistent tannins yet to fully resolve. Very fine sediment. Can go another 5, even 10 years maybe. Excellent drinking right now.
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1/7/2018 - jhawkfan wrote: 89 Points
Definitely past prime. Still nice but lacking the usual depth and finish.
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9/14/2015 - danscellar wrote: 91 Points
Big, dark, inky!! Very nice nose, great complexity and structure!
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8/24/2015 - research1 Likes this wine: 92 Points
The wine looks inky colored. The legs are medium. There is light sediment in the bottle. It smells like blackberry, red currant, plum and fig. The body is medium/full. The wine has polished texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has medium acidity.
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3/12/2015 - budman Likes this wine: 92 Points
Not even close to over the hill... yummy!!!!
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2/19/2015 - Coachron13 Likes this wine: 92 Points
An excellent syrah. Big and jammy, still well within its primary drinking window. Inky dark, big bold fruit.
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10/3/2014 - Julius Squeezer wrote: 93 Points
Tremendously impressive on this night. Although the grip on this feels like many more years somehow I get the feeling it will never be better than it is right now. Love the blue fruit on this. This wine is starting to develop semi Cote Rotieish Port/fat notes which I find enchanting. Overall.... what an outstanding effort.
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3/10/2014 - Tarpon222 wrote: 92 Points
Doesn't get much better than this. May go awhile longer but you will absolutely enjoy now
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1/28/2014 - SineQuaNon Likes this wine: 92 Points
Lovely, if still young wine. Rich with good syrah-character. Could use a bit more lift. Almost a 93.
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1/24/2014 - KristianT wrote: 93 Points
Wow. Not very Shiraz like at all. Come across much younger than it is.will definitely develop or a decade or even more. The alcohol is a bit intrusive, but the total experience is very good.
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7/10/2013 - sraders Likes this wine: 94 Points
This vintage just keeps getting better and better. Great blend.
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3/12/2013 - Ridgerunner Likes this wine: 94 Points
If you didn't think this wine was this good... you didn't wait long enough! I actually believe this hasn't peaked yet... but it is already incredible!
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9/26/2012 - Ridgerunner Likes this wine: 93 Points
A remarkably potent and substantial wine. Spicy food doesn't stand up to it!
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5/20/2012 - cbbrown3 wrote: 95 Points
Deep, dark maroon color. Blackberries, smoked meat, black pepper, licorice, Asian spices, vanilla, dark chocolate, and fresh ground coffee on the very inviting and exotic nose. Medium to full body with fairly solid, ripe tannins and nice acidity. A big hit of berries on the palate then waves of savory elements grab the palate. Long, lingering finish with the spicy berries giving way to the dark chocolate and espresso. Outstanding!
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5/9/2012 - Colima74 wrote: 90 Points
No mistaking this for anything but New World Syrah... big, juicy, almost sweet, but not. If anything since the last bottle, this has gotten bigger. Maybe a few more years resting would make this more to my liking. Or maybe not. Well made, but a style I don't have a hankering for anymore. At the Playground.
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3/30/2012 - llink wrote:
Popped and poured. Black as night. Deep earthy nose, showing smoked meat, white pepper, blackberry, and camphor notes. The palate is rich and spicy, with a heaviness that borders on being ponderous and a little cloying. The 20% petite syrah in the blend may be contributing to the muddled palate and lack of acidity or focus. Long finish, with a little heat.
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3/24/2012 - JOJ wrote: 93 Points
Blackberry, boysenberry, camphor and wet rock on the nose. Palate really unfolded after several hours in the decanter. Juicy blackberries galore, with notes of anise and smoke. Decent acidity and chewy tannins. Still something of a beast at age 10 -- has a long life ahead of it. Paired well with a spicy bbq sauce.
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3/15/2012 - shaferguy91 wrote: 93 Points
No decant.
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12/31/2011 - Dr. Pato wrote: 93 Points
White pepper and ripe dark fruit. Taste almost like a cab- syrah blend. There is some rich cassis as well. Has many years left.
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12/26/2011 - Ridgerunner Likes this wine: 94 Points
This wine is really kicking some ass! Just magnificent!
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12/18/2011 - pgm wrote: 93 Points
An old favorite delivers again. Still extremely rich black fruit and exotic spice dominating this wine, but it's starting to show its age, developing some earthy notes, too.
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11/12/2011 - rpenn77 wrote: 94 Points
Richness and full bodied but with soft tannins. Pepper and spiced meat notes Fantastic!
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10/16/2011 - Ridgerunner wrote: 92 Points
Really enjoyable, but still quite young! Glad to have another four bottles to drink over the next five years!
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9/30/2011 - Pinot Evil wrote:
This wine didn't live up to previous bottles as the fruit is in decline. Would have been better decanted because by the time we got to the last glass it was open and showing better, but, if you got em drink em.
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9/17/2011 - Tarrant wrote: 93 Points
Outstanding, and many years left (still a baby!), this was an amazing Cali Syrah in my opinion - Black, full bodied with a nose of blueberry, pepper, plum, leather, meat, spice and vanilla, very well structured, quite integrated but still very youthful, complex, sweet, smooth on the palate with excellent length, awesome (93 Points).
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9/9/2011 - mjf@ulkner wrote: 91 Points
Not a great choice paired with pasta. Nevertheless a nice mature wine. Some dark plum mixed with gamey, meaty flavors. The petite sirah component is felt on the finish, with some burley residual tannins.
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8/22/2011 - pjhr wrote: 90 Points
Not up to the previous bottle. Fruit has receded with somewhat harsh tannins on the finish.
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5/8/2011 - fredman wrote: 92 Points
Decanted for an hour. Poured out darker than David Lynch's mind. A wonderful, big wine that became tamer as the evening went on. Could sleep for the next 5+ years but if you like your wines with some hair on 'em , enjoy now.
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1/29/2011 - MattTM wrote:
Dinner at Seaquam's (Vancouver, BC): Very dark, almost black in the glass. Nice dark fruit on the nose, with some blueberry, strawberry jam, and tons of black pepper. The spicy-ness comes through strong on the palette (clove/pepper), along with some tart black cherry and vanilla bean. The alcohol shows on the finish, similar to the finish on a nice vodka. Despite that, there is a long, dry finish. Very good.
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1/9/2011 - davidandrose wrote: 94 Points
Still pours jet-black, not decanted. About an hour after opening this showed extraordinarily well. Lush, rich and full, but not chewy in the sense of many new-world syrah-based wines. Though 5 hours after opening the wine lost some of its depth, this still has a sold life ahead of it. Sadly my last bottle.
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12/26/2010 - budman wrote: 93 Points
Everyone's WOTN. Smooth dark fruit. Long finish. Yum.
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10/24/2010 - RR47 wrote: 92 Points
This has become more approachable on opening, but still should decant. Big difference when aerated before drinking. Complex dark fruit, leather, earth, spice. Still firm tannins, but they are part of the pleasure. Great Relentless.
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10/18/2010 - konadog wrote:
bacon, tar, blueberry, expansive on the palate, tannins are present but very well integrated at this time. could last a couple of more years but no need to wait 93pts
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9/30/2010 - Pinot Evil wrote: 94 Points
We loved this wine from start to finish and what a finish it has. Well balanced dark purple with wonderful berry and currant fruit.
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9/14/2010 - jmottern wrote: 88 Points
Disappointing for a Shafer wine.
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9/9/2010 - Big Daddy wrote: 94 Points
This wine is still screamin! A ton of fruit and nicely balanced.
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5/18/2010 - caeleric Likes this wine: 93 Points
20 minute decant and consumed over an hour. inky blue/purple/black in the glass. an enormous nose of blueberry compote, cassis, and game. from the moment you stick your nose in there you know this is massive. the palate is richly textured with deeply concentrated blue and black fruits, and the finish brings in a nice chocolate note to complement everything the nose and palate suggested. the tannins were integrated well, and this is in a great drinking window, although i'd suspect it has another 5-7 years left.
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5/10/2010 - drycab wrote:
Popped, decanted and drank. Last one and I'm sorry I opened it cause there ain't no mo'! Really good syrah with detail (odly enough) added by the petite. Too bad I thought it was one of 2 when it was really 1 of 1.
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5/1/2010 - flashvictor Likes this wine: 93 Points
Deep tanzanite color leads to a nose of blackberry, bramble, and vanilla. Full body carries loads of black fruit, some nice tar and smoked pork all wrapped in sweet vanilla.
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4/16/2010 - eastover wrote:
For Jill and Lisa G. - on a Friday evening "drink" - LG joined - JV - stuck at work. Wine enjoyed by all - last bottle in the cellar - oh well.
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4/12/2010 - shaferguy91 wrote: 93 Points
Decanted 1 hour. Drinking beautifully.
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3/28/2010 - nfafoglia wrote: 93 Points
Plum, spice, blackberry, and smoke. Great mouthfeel, velvety. Long finish. An elegant wine that has the stuff to last 3-5 more years.
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2/18/2010 - madeiradog wrote: 94 Points
Dinner with Bernard Burtschy (Taberna del Alabardero): Much more in check that the RC Cherry Camp we drank, the Shafer seems a bit 4-square in comparison but much more pleasurable to drink. Dark fruits with some oak still lingering with a solid structure and present tannins. Maybe this needs more time to emerge?
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2/5/2010 - Colima74 wrote: 93 Points
Very dark. making me think it much younger than it is. Served blind, I was thinking Cab. Extremely well balanced, with no rough edges at all. Red/dark red fruit profile. Just a hint of vanilla, something I usually don't like, but here it was spot on. Amazingly easy to drink with spaghetti, which was a very good match.
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1/30/2010 - Pinot Evil wrote: 94 Points
This was an outstanding bottle, nicely balanced and great fruit.
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12/19/2009 - tkoby11 wrote: 92 Points
True to form and typicity, this baby was as dark as a moon and starless night!
Color: DARK, red edges, showing just the slightest bit of receding by age
Nose: Blackberry, dark raspberry, chocolate, oak
Palate: Big, but a little settled in from the age. A knock out wine and NOT for the faint of heart...if you like old world this is not for you.
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12/6/2009 - moudy wrote: 92 Points
Relentless is probably my favorite bottle of CA red. The wine was great, but I was hoping for more. It was a bit flat. I am not sure if that was because it is in an akward stage or if it going past it's peak
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11/24/2009 - mmontejano wrote: flawed
Corked. Opened another of same - terrific!
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9/5/2009 - SoCal wrote:
Loosing a bit of its "X" factor for me. It still a good wine but in its development it has lost the punch that I enjoyed in its youth.
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8/2/2009 - Double D wrote: 94 Points
I am going to miss the 2002 vintage, still very rich...on to the 2003.
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8/2/2009 - Double D wrote: 95 Points
How could this be any better? Amazing, had it with grilled lamb chops again!
Aired about an hour. (Post Script- I'm usually close to Tanzer but not tonight....maybe he needs to try it again)
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8/2/2009 - moben wrote: 89 Points
Less expansive than I remember. Sell with loads of dark fruit and pepper and well integrated tannins. Ready to drink.
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6/26/2009 - Wino from Michigan wrote: 95 Points
This wine was opened and decanted in a magnum decanter for 1-2 hours. Then was drank after dinner on the deck. WOW -- it was killer juice bursting with soft berries and vanilla! Can't wait for my last bottle.
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5/19/2009 - cadamson wrote: 82 Points
Dark as a cloudy, moonless night. Explosive nose from the get go. Huge black fruit, flowers, pepper and spice, with a tiny hint of sweaty sock. Really nice nose, not shy, but not one dimensional either. First impression on the palate was that it was a bit lighter on its feet than I would have guessed it to be. Constrained fruit, a bit weak mid palate, and some bitterness on the finish does it no favors. Will report back later after a longer decant time. Hoping it improves. Very good nose, but not close to matching that in taste. Update: 24 hours later, taste got slightly better, but the nose largely died. There was no flaw in this bottle, there is just nothing about it that brings it above barely good. Shut down? I don't think so, there is simply not that much fruit.
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4/4/2009 - KeithAkers wrote: 93 Points
Final Four Blind Knockout (matt's house, highland park IL): nose: massive nose filled with black cherries, dark berry tones, red and black currants, with hiints of spices and some minty tones. Very deep and primal with a whole lot of depth and is very expressive
taste: massive tannins and feel with rich tones of black cherries, loads of black fruits, bits of oak, dark berries and black currant jam
overall: big, bold, and rich, this gets right in your face and is no holds barred. Great depth with a rich medium/full feel with really big tannins
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4/3/2009 - tommydiesel wrote: 90 Points
Big,juicy,jammy, stick to your ribs style. Lots of tannins still, should cellar well.
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3/4/2009 - 1800kidney wrote: 92 Points
bit muted, suspect that this one will last for years to come. Lovely syrah
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2/25/2009 - enosnob wrote: 93 Points
The petite syrah in this blend really shows in the inky bluish black color. The aromas are a wonderful mix of black berry, lavender, rose, chocolate and pepper. The flavors come at you in layers of blackberry, currant, tar, roast meat, vanilla, pepper, coffee, chocolate. This is a wine to really chew on, with its full bodied complexity with loads of structure, great balance and great integration. The finish goes on and on.
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2/6/2009 - drycab wrote: 92 Points
Completely different notes than before as I decanted this for an hour and there were no objectionable notes at all! The wine was a pure example of Syrah in the glass and cut the 4 cheese mac & cheese and bar-b-qued spicy chicken perfectly and the sweetness and spice of the food were a match. Had this on Friday and left some in the decanter to see what would happen and on Sunday it was more mellow and smooth that Friday at dinner. Just a great Syrah.
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12/21/2008 - Double D wrote: 93 Points
Drinkable, heavily bodied wine, rich and sweet, trying with grilled lamb chops today.
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11/24/2008 - GolferChris wrote: 93 Points
Consitently strong syrah effort. Deep dark color with lots of extracted fruit - black berry, black cherry and dark plum. Aromas of black fruit, vanialla, biolet and black pepper. Beautifully integrated tannins create a long lush 30 second finish. Paired wonderfully with New York Strip with creole mustard sauce.
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10/25/2008 - tskrueger wrote: 91 Points
Much better than the 01, which seemed simple....This was a very classy Syrah that was a shear pleasure to drink.
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10/22/2008 - RR47 wrote: 92 Points
1st bottle from case. Inky Black/Purple, obviously unfiltered. Day 1: Popped and tasted. Very closed. Blackberry and tannic finish. Day 2: 2nd glass, opening a little, still dark fruit but coffee and less tannins. Day 3: killed the bottle with steaks from the grill. Well it is still in need of time, but much more expressive. Tannins had softened and blackberries, raspberries, blueberries came through with leather and coffee. Massive wine but not over-the-top sweet. It has years to go.
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8/23/2008 - E wrote: 91 Points
Still quite tannic...this will require some more time to evaluate fully...
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8/1/2008 - 6831 wrote: 91 Points
Contemplative nose of rich, red briary fruit, eucalyptus and menthol.
Midpalate is a bit angular, but shows concentrated black cherry, spiced plum and pepper flavors.
Finishes with good length but with a good dose of fine, chalky tannin and sweet oak. The 20% Petite Sirah blend assets itself in the back end.
Probably a year or so from showing at it's best.
Hold.
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7/5/2008 - RumRunner wrote: 90 Points
Very nice bottle, but will benefit from more time in the cellar.
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7/2/2008 - SoCal wrote: 90 Points
Color is a deep purple. The nose shows coco power, oak, and black fruits. The palate is a silky mix of chocolate, blackberries, vanilla, and pepper. It almost has a confectionary like flavor to it. The finish has a long viscous coating effect with a blackberry liquor feel to it. Overall a wonderful new world 80% Syrah and 20% Petite Sirah blend that is quite hedonistic. To me it has mellowed a bit with age and is drinking well now.
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6/28/2008 - gorm wrote: 93 Points
A bottle of this drunk in 2006 was beautiful and seducing, another bottle in 2007 was undrinkable. This time around its more like the one from 2006, but a bit toned down. Still purple in color. Nose of blackcurrant, blueberries, vanilla and coffee. At first bitter, but becomes round, smooth and seducing with air. Not extremely complex, but with poise and balance.
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3/30/2008 - cmr wrote: 88 Points
Tanzer nailed it. Really not a good QPR for this year.
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3/23/2008 - gzim wrote: 88 Points
Big super dark, no rim at all. Deep, dark purple. When decanted there was a great dark fruit presence with some oak on the nose. Left in the decanter for 6 hours. For me this wine was either not ready or just not balanced, and I was disappointed. There was some fruit, but it seemed masked by the heat of white pepper and oak... maybe it just needs another 5 years to integrate, but I'll never know as it was my last bottle. I left a glass for the next day to see what happens.
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2/23/2008 - SimonG wrote:
Dense deep red with purple at the rim still. Ripe fruit on the nose giving way to a spicy vanilla oakiness. Big wine. Sweet fruit and oak. I think the creamy oak (30 months apparently) overdone - at the moment I wouldn't really have picked it as a syrah; Californian is the characteristic that stands out, might have been a Cali-cab. Needs five years yet, don't know whether the oak will integrate properly, but if it does it will be a nice drink. Certainly ok now but just a bit overdone. **(*1/2)
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1/1/2008 - johnnywebs wrote: 92 Points
Drinking great. Will last another 3-4 years easy.
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1/1/2008 - kkehlbeck wrote:
very powerful, flavorful wine
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11/14/2007 - Tejano wrote: 93 Points
Dark, dark, dark purple with a slight red rim. Firm nose of dark berries and a little tartness as an edge, with a wafting in and out of some earthy components. Pretty much hitting on all cylinders with a bright entry, a frim grip at mid palate and a lovely finish. Layers of fruit texture to enjoy...and a very assertive personality.
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11/3/2007 - JLL wrote: 94 Points
finally ready to drink...........stellar.......however, after 3 hours of air, it turned tannic....drink from 1-2hours
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10/28/2007 - davidandrose wrote: 93 Points
Restaurant pop and pour. Very well-balanced. As someone else noted, this IS in its sweet-spot. Excellent, even with no air or decant time.
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10/6/2007 - cmr wrote: 90 Points
Nice overall wine, great body and structure but for the price this is the second bottle I'm not at all impressed with.
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9/13/2007 - goofy Yno wrote: 87 Points
Very tight wine. poped and poured but nothing going on, decanted and tried hourly. around the third hour the nose started to emerge. vnilla, and blueberry. still tight in the mouth, with tannins, blueberry and a slightly bitter finish. HOLD
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9/8/2007 - pjhr wrote: 93 Points
Delicious blackberry and plum aromas and flavors with nice chocolate and spice notes. Smooth tannins on the long tasty finish.
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8/26/2007 - olm2000 wrote: 93 Points
this wine is in the sweet spot...love how the petite sirah blends with syrah...wonderful viscous mouthfeel...lengthy finish
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6/28/2007 - Hoya Vinophile wrote: 90 Points
This was incredible. Very dark and brambly with blueberry and blackberry flavors. At first the finishhad a flinty mineral like characteristic. After an hour or so, it smoothed right out but still retained some teeth. Purple color and dense. It will be interesting to see this wine in a few years.
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6/5/2007 - mike l. wrote: 93 Points
second time ive had this, excellent structure very smooth oak, a little simple but marvelous with a steak.
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5/16/2007 - CMorris wrote: 94 Points
At a syrah tasting - clearly the WOTN. Deep purple and full-bodied. WOW.
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5/3/2007 - gorm wrote: flawed
Not sure if this was corked or just extremely closed. Either way it was undrinkable. Hard, austere, no fruit, tasted and smelled like wet wood. No where near previous bottles.
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4/11/2007 - winefool wrote: 92 Points
Full opaque black/purple. Tight bright black/blueberry fruit with asphalt hints on the nose. Huge Mouthful of zingy bright tight black fruit and tar. Could probably use some time to smooth out.
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3/27/2007 - rothdog wrote: 89 Points
Big, fat and rich. Dark purple. I can see its appeal, but this very extracted, alcoholic Syrah seems a bit over the top. Although the fruit was present, the smokey, meaty, peppery, dark fruit flavors of the grape wereoverwhelmed by the oak and alcohol. In fairness, this bottle was purchased at a restaurant (Capital Grille) and was only decanted for about 30 minutes before being tasted. It was also served too warm (shame!), and was clearly not stored in ideal conditions. It seemed more like an "in your face" Shiraz, than a California Syrah. Easy to drink, a bit hot and not much to think about. This wine might need another year or so to come together. BTW - My rating on the Capital Grille: 87 points.
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2/25/2007 - gr8r84u wrote: 94 Points
Haven't opened one for a few months but I still love it. Has a beautiful nose and and a smooth velvety texture. Wonderful mouthfeel with a 45+ second finish. Dark fruits, asphalt and vanilla overwhelm this dark purple (if not black) monster. Restrained no, delicious yes. If you like 'em subtle steer clear.
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1/20/2007 - grapist wrote: 92 Points
Big, dark, opaque. Vanilla, oak, cigar box, dark fruit. Long finish. 80% Syrah, 20% Petite Syrah. Great with steak or game.
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1/11/2007 - elliott.h.farber@gmail.com wrote: 88 Points
Double decanted for four hours. Served with braised lamb shanks. Absolutely opaque and bloody dark purple. Big nose with some tar and asphalt and coffee. Not overly complicated palate with meaty flavors and some bacon fat and cassis. Chalky tannins but not very complex or interesting. Just a big drink and not my cup of tea.
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12/19/2006 - drycab wrote: 93 Points
Really tannic upon opening but after an hour or 2 it opened up into a beautiful nose and complicated palate that was wonderful.
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12/3/2006 - Ben Andersen wrote:
Dense, sweet, extracted. Black fruit, milk chocolate, coffee.
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12/2/2006 - David S wrote:
The wine was pretty tannic - probably will be better with some more age
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10/4/2006 - millerfamily wrote: 92 Points
Good wine, but definitely needs more time. At first was fairly tannic, closed and almost chalky, but after an hour and a half it really started to open up and even out.
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9/17/2006 - dccc wrote: 91 Points
Did not decanter but enjoyed this fine wine over a period of several hours. Very full appearance in the glass but wonderful dark fruit flavor at first taste and throughout.
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8/29/2006 - olm2000 wrote: 91 Points
very good to great potential, but needs more time...very tannic after 3 hours in decanter...91+
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8/28/2006 - gorm wrote: 96 Points
Dark purple color and thick colored tears. Intense nose of blueberries, blackberries, pepper and coffee. Concentrated and full-bodied, but very seamless and extremely seductive. Objectively it would only rate 94-95, but it's just so unbelievable enjoyable... Served with Weber-grilled hickory-smoked beef striploin with a garden salad. Rating: 96
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8/19/2006 - jhngo wrote: 90 Points
Excellent wine. A bit sweet on the palate. Earthy dusty finish.
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7/8/2006 - davidandrose wrote: 92 Points
Restaurant purchase. Pop and pour. Notes consistent with prior tastings, but didn't have the oppty to really open up much at all. Also seemed a little spicier then I recall from last time. Still, this has the capacity to last quite some time, and an enjoyable opening wine for the evening.
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7/3/2006 - cmr wrote: 90 Points
Has great potential ahead of it but right now it was still tight and closed up.
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6/25/2006 - gr8r84u wrote: 95 Points
Had the '02 Relentless tailgating before an outdoor concert last night. The wine was decanted 2hrs at home before being poured into a thermos for transport. 2hrs later we sat in lawn chairs and ate steak fajitas while drinking this wine out of 16 ounce red plastic cups. Wow... was that a great bottle (thermos) of wine. The inky purple color was easy to spot against the white inside of the cups and even without the Reidel stems, the aroma was overpowering. Lots of luscous fruit flavors, no hard edges or overly tanic bite. Loved it loved it loved it.
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6/24/2006 - JLL wrote: 82 Points
2002 Shafer Relentless: decanted 3 hours, upon opening the nose was a dead ringer for the 02 Shafer reg Cab, however, after 3 hours, the nose took on more of a syrah like quality of beef, pepper and dark berry. Very interesting. Tannins sting the toungue upon the wine entering the mouth, dark fruit, pepper and spice, beef, and heat fill the tasting. Finish is of huge tannins burning the toungue, and disapating (sp?) fruit. Now- 82pts. I would wait at least 3 more years before opening this up, the 01 is still in a waiting phase as well. The 99 is showing beautifully. Interesting note, why is it that every Shafer wine from multiple vintages (97-02) in my cellar registers 14.9% alcohol. From the 99 HSS to the 04 Chard?????????
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6/15/2006 - ken-yyz wrote: 93 Points
Incredibly dense and concentrated. Impenetrable, teeth staining and a deep purple rim. Creamy, rich wild blueberry with a scent of vanilla. Finishes long but with reasonably thick, course tannins (2 point demerit)
First bottle from a case. I can't wait to watch this evolve. It certainly has the stuffing so if the finish rounds out a little, watch out!
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5/22/2006 - GolferChris wrote: 93 Points
Blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Petite Sirah. Purple, almost black in color. Aromas/flavors blackberry, black cherry, vanilla, violet and black pepper. Long, firm tannins produce a very balanced wine with a long 30+ second finish.
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4/13/2006 - davidandrose wrote: 92 Points
Restaurant purchase; decanted and consumed over 90 minutes. A heavier decant or more air time would have been better, as this really took at least an hour to open up. Was very tight and tannic early on, softening up towards the end. Great wine with gobs of mellow black fruits, chocolate and fine tannins.
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3/11/2006 - wineismylife wrote: 92 Points
WIML92,PURPLE92,WA95,WS94
Tasted March 11, 2006 by itself at a retail wine tasting. Opened and served immediately in a Riedel “restaurant series” Syrah glass. Hold onto your hats. We’ve definitely left the Rhone and landed in California. Dark purple, almost crimson color in the glass with a clear hue throughout. Huge nose of dark fruits, coffee, blueberry, mocha and yet more and more coffee! Flavors of, you guessed it, expresso with black cherries and black berries. Can be drank now but I think I’d hold for a couple of years. Plenty of structure here to last for 10 years in my opinion. Recommended.
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3/11/2006 - win wrote: 92 Points
Immense, smoky and multidimensional. Should get even better over the next few years.
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2/14/2006 - pgm wrote: 95 Points
Janette loved this wine. Smoky, with fresh berries and jammy berries, sweet oak, and spices, pepper and caraway seed, on the nose. Tasting it gives all that fruit and complexity again in a big version of the nose.
Not ordinary, very distinctive. I like the DuMol syrahs quite a bit, too, but this really does outshine them. Buy.
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11/30/2005 - DianeR wrote:
Still very closed and brooding. Inky purple color - intense. Waiting to see how this opens up.
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5/1/2005 - winefool wrote: 93 Points
Opaque coffee red. Forward black fruit aroma. Nice round black fruit with huge fruit and coffee finish. Very impressive. (tasting group) 5/05
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