Community Tasting Note
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Jonathan T Likes this wine: 95 points
March 5, 2019 - I opened this bottle in celebration of John Shafer, who passed away yesterday at the age of 94. He has to know how much his wines have participated in joy in this world. Shafer has always been my favorite winery to visit, and in no small part due to fact that more often than not, Mr Shafer is there to greet his guests. Always charming, humble, welcoming, and generous as if he's still surprised people love his wines. This Relentless is wonderful. The best Relentless I've had. I've never tasted the 2008 vintage which was named Wine Spectator WOTY, but I can't imagine that wine being better than this one. Every incarnation of Relentless needs a little bit of time in the bottle (one reviewer described a young Relentless as "pissed off" and "tortured" and that's about right without bottle age. This 2010 vintage is just starting to come together beautifully, so feel free to open a bottle but it will be great for another 10-20 years. I love the nose on this wine, very rustic and rhone-like with rosemary, dill, lemongrass, charcoal and a number of other herbs. On the palate it is deep and rich, perhaps a little more bordeaux-like with sweet black and blue berry fruits. Amazing on its own, or pair with rich foods. Delicious. Rest in peace, Mr Shafer.
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2 Comments
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markcic commented:
3/5/19, 6:56 PM - A beautiful tribute -
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Jonathan T commented:
3/6/19, 3:30 PM - Thank you. I wanted to pay tribute to a man who was a true gentleman and who represented what is beautiful about our wine hobby, in a world now full of millionaire egos and wine conglomerates.