The Prisoner Wine Company The Prisoner Red Blend (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2014
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Plump and jammy, with a solid core of structure. Aromas of huckleberry and spicy mocha combine with supple flavors of raspberry and cherry plus cinnamon and pepper. Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Charbono. Drink now through 2023.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
Okay to all you folks who can't get enough of those muscular wines, you have to know this: The Prisoner red wine really dates back to the days when wines were enjoyed in tumblers instead of wine glasses. They were also full bodied and not so dry. These were some of the wines that I cut my teeth on some 40 years ago in the North Beach district of San Francisco. Red, sappy, full of punch and satisfying. Okay some of these wines came in 4.0 liter jugs, but you didn't even need a wine key and everyone seemed to enjoy the moment. Now smartphone yourself to the present and we have the artsy, tres chic and sophisticated version of California's red wine history (circa 1970) when table wines was just beginning in the marketplace. Welcome to the new standard! The 2014 Prisoner has a deep ruby black color; a blast of berries in the aromas, yet the fruit is clean and fresh, bright, big and lasting; full bodied, thick rich and very slight port-like note shows up; heavy, with lots of sweet tannins; big dense in the aftertaste. How do you serve this wine you ask? Yes it will overpower many traditional dishes. So just invite the gang over and watch a little NFL or NBA, serve pizza, grill burgers and have fun. (Tasted: December 3, 2015, San Francisco, CA)
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The Prisoner Wine Company’s eponymous first wine was inspired by the drinkable “mixed blacks” made by the Italian immigrants who originally settled in Napa Valley. Since launch, The Prisoner soon became recognized as one of the most innovative Napa Valley wines, leading the resurgence of California red blends and earning “cult wine” status. Now complemented by a white blend (Blindfold), Chardonnay (The Snitch), Cabernet Sauvignon (Cuttings), Zinfandel (Saldo), Merlot (Thorn) and a Red Blend (Dérangé), The Prisoner Wine Company’s winemaking philosophy remains the same: To collaborate with a family of growers throughout California’s best winegrowing regions to craft wines of exceptional quality and unexpected character.
The Prisoner Wine Company acquires grapes from more than 100 vineyards throughout California’s premier grape-growing regions, partnering with phenomenal growers who are dedicated to cultivating unique varieties. Chrissy Wittmann and her team of winemakers collaborate with this family of growers, visiting each vineyard site throughout the year to carefully assess the style and quality of every lot to make the best possible wine from each vintage.
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.