2008 Shafer Relentless

Shafer Vineyards, based in Napa, California, produces four red wines and one Chardonnay. The reds include two Cabernet Sauvignons, a Merlot, and a Syrah/Petite Sirah blend.

The 2008 Shafer Relentless was 75% Syrah and 25% Petite Sirah. The wine was aged for 30 months in new French oak barrels. The label  was listed ABV was 15.6%.

As I had become more acquainted with Syrah and Petite Sirah, a friend mentioned Relentless to me. He asked if I had sampled the wine as it had received a 96 rating from Wine Spectator he had heard it was good and he wanted to taste it was interested in my astute opinion on the vintage.

I managed to acquire several bottles of the aforementioned wine. After tasting the wine, I can say with certainty I should have bought more.

2009 Domaine Faiveley Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Lavieres

In February of 2012, Restaurant Nicholas hosted a wine dinner featuring 12 different wines from the Burgundy region of France. I had previously not been particularly fond of wines from this area. The dinner at Nicholas changed that.

Domaine Faiveley, founded in 1825, is located in the town of Nuits-Saint-Georges in the Burgundy region of France.

The 2009 Faiveley Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Lavieres was 100% Pinot Noir. This vintage was aged for 14 to 16 months in French oak barrels (roughly 30% new). The label stated ABV was 13%.

As a 2009, I drank this wine much too early, but it was difficult staring at it on each trip to the cellar and wondering if it was as good as it was at the dinner. I can now definitively state this was a great bottle. And this is one of their lower end wines.

2006 Domaine Humbert Freres Gevrey-Chambertin

Domaine Humbert Freres produces a Burgundy/Pinot Noir in the Gevrey-Chambertin region of France.

I found this selection at a wine tasting one month ago at a local restaurant. I purchased three bottles. I should have bought more…..