Robert Parker (93)
The 2019 Relentless is a blend of 89% Syrah and 11% Petite Sirah that spent 30 months in 100% new French oak. The nose is a bit briary, with intriguing herbal complexities from the Syrah, vibrant purple-raspberry fruit and perhaps some blueberry fruit from the Petite Sirah. This is full-bodied, tannic, sturdy stuff that needs time to come around, but as it's packed with fruit, that shouldn't be an issue.
James Suckling (95)
Rich and deep dark-fruited character with hints of roast bacon, chocolate and grilled herbs. Full-bodied with a broad, structured palate that has a deep core of dark berry fruit, and an array of plush, velvety tannins that lasts for minutes, leading to a polished, slightly chewy finish. 90% syrah and 10% petit syrah.
Vinous (94)
The 2019 Relentless is gorgeous. Bright and intensely savory, the 2019 bristles with energy. Black pepper, sage, tobacco, incense and dried herbs lend tons of nuance to this expressive Syrah/Petite Sirah blend. There's quite a bit of energy here and also a bit less heft than most previous vintages, a reflection of a move towards slightly cooler sites.
Jeb Dunnuck (96)
The 2019 Relentless is mostly Syrah, yet the cuvée always includes a good bit of Petite Sirah, with 11% in the 2019. 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.
Decanter (97)
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.
Wine Enthusiast (96)
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.
