Shafer Relentless Napa Valley 2011

94 points Wine Spectator: "This big red brims with dark, rich, chunky blackberry and wild berry fruit, with notes of black licorice that edge toward prune. Maintaining a fine balance for its size, this is extracted, with firm, chewy, peppery tannins. Syrah and Petite Sirah. Best from 2015 through 2028. (11/30/14)"

94 points and 'Top 100 Cellar Selections 2015 (#81),' Wine Enthusiast: "There’s no denying the power in this wine, which contains Syrah and Petite Sirah sourced from one ridgetop Stags Leap District site. But in this case, power is a beautiful thing, sinewy and contained. Complex in plum, gamy meat and a lingering suggestion of coconut, it has size offset by the acidity, and a beguiling finish of cracked black pepper. Things will get more interesting in the cellar, through 2021-2026. Alcohol 15.8%. (May 2015)"

92 points Robert Parker: "The 2011 Syrah Relentless is certainly one of the lighter versions of this wine, but still merits an outstanding 92-point rating. A blend of 91% Syrah and 9% Petite Sirah, this wine shows more of a French style than other vintages because there is a hint of austerity and structural tannin that can be noticed through the roasted herbs, meaty blackberry and blackcurrant flavors and hints of blueberry and lavender. This is spicy, earthy, medium to full-bodied and probably will be the easiest and quickest to mature fully of any vintage of Relentless to date. Consume it over the next decade. (Oct 2014)"

92 points and 'Very highly recommended,' California Grapevine: "Dark purplish ruby; attractive, forward, meaty, peppery, blackberry pie aroma with good depth and intensity; full body; big, deep, extracted, mouth-filling, black fruit flavors with oaky undertones and firm, supporting acidity; full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Deserves another three to five more years of bottle aging. 15.8% alcohol; 3,300 cases; blended with 9% Petite Sirah; released September 2014. (Jun 2015)"