Decanter 97 – the top Relentless ever:
Powerful and enticing aromas of Kirsch, toasted cedarwood, caramel, and scored herbs draw you into the glass, revealing even more nuances of late-summer mountain scrub brush balanced by springtime violets. Seductively silky Syrah notes of black cherry, blackberry, white pepper, and charcuterie entice the senses. It is a generous wine with a harmoniously soft palate expression balanced by firm, fine-grained tannins, finishing extremely long with crushed cocoa nibs and blood orange acidity. Syrah and Petite Sirah grapes are harvested from ridgetop and foothill sites along the Vaca Mountains, just south of the Stags Leap District AVA border, aged 20 months in 100% new Allier and Tronçais French oak.
Best ever for the Wine Enthusiast, too:
This powerful, rough-hewn wine that contains 11% Petite Sirah holds extremely deep black and blue fruits in a framework of grippy tannins. A tight, reserved expression on the midpalate signals more aging is needed for best enjoyment. The wine's ripe, compelling, late-harvest fruits match the massive structure. Best from 2028–2040.
Best Relentless ever on CellarTracker, too (of 35 vintages reviewed).
Vinous calls it “gorgeous” and Dunnuck says:
A deep purple-hued blockbuster of a Syrah, it offers loads of ripe blackberries, ground pepper, sappy herbs, and violet-like aromas and flavors. One of those wines that delivers richness and intensity with no sensation of weight of heaviness, it has terrific balance, ripe tannins, and a great finish. Enjoy bottles over the coming 10-15 years.
Sensational as always…but this 2019 Relentless is just a bit “extra.”
