93pts Wilfred Wong

Could The Prisoner Red Blend be in the proverbial "sweet" spot? Since its arrival into the marketplace in 2000, this wine became an instant star, albeit controversial in some quarters of the wine world because of perceived sweetness. Many of my closest wine pals also decried that the wine was too extracted. While the wine flirts a bit beyond the standard threshold residual sugar level, this wine is pretty tasty and dry in a New World way. The 2019 vintage is the wine's best effort to date, and it signals its long journey to become a wine that everyone can wrap their palate around.  This wine brings the force of bold, black fruit, savory spices, and oak onto the palate. Pair it with grilled baby back ribs. (Tasted: October 14, 2020, San Francisco, CA)

Winemaker Notes

Features enticing aromas of Bing cherry, dark chocolate, clove, and roasted fig. Persistent flavors of ripe raspberry, boysenberry, pomegranate, and vanilla linger harmoniously for a smooth and luscious finish.  

The Prisoner Red Blend was inspired by the wines first made by the Italian immigrants who originally settled in Napa Valley. The Prisoner is now the most recognized red blend, leading the resurgence of interesting blends by incorporating Zinfandel with the unlikely mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Charbono.