2019 The Prisoner Wine Company “Unshackled” Red Blend
2019 The Prisoner Wine Company “Unshackled” Red Blend Drinks Like Prisoner at a Fraction of the Price! Unshackled Red Blend opens with aromas of raspberry, blueberry and crushed violets. Flavors of spiced dried cherries, florals and a hint of white pepper translate to a balanced red blend wine supported with a generous mouthfeel. A blend of Zinfandel, Malbec, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Grenache is barrel aged in French and American oak casks for 10 months before bottling. Serve just below room temperature by refrigerating this wine bottle for up to 30 minutes. Pair this red wine blend with BBQ Pork Ribs or a Portobello Mushroom burger
The Prisoner Wine Company is synonymous with BIG, RICH, reds and are some of the most sought after in the world. Prisoner was founded by David Phinney, one of Napa’s hottest young winemakers. Collectors all over the world seek out his wines, and I have been in some of the finest cellars in the country that dedicate space specifically to his wines. I remember tasting the first vintage of The Prisoner (2000) and how it instantly changed my palate as well as the game in California. The wine was modeled after California’s original Zinfandel based “field blends”, and became a cult wine overnight, with a mere 385 case production. The wine has been on Spectator’s Top 100 three times and is released once a year.
The Prisoner Wine Company has come a long way since 2000, and the biggest frustration with The Prisoner is it always sells out. Today’s wine is an opportunity to enjoy The Prisoner but at a much more welcoming price, with The Prisoner Wine Co’s. “Unshackled” 2019 Red Blend. After tasting, I was floored by how much is packed into the bottle at the price! If you love the big rich Zin blends coming out of California, jump on this opportunity before it sells out!
opens with aromas of raspberry, blueberry and crushed violets. Flavors of spiced dried cherries, florals and a hint of white pepper translate to a balanced red blend wine supported with a generious mouthfeel. A blend of Zinfandel, Malbec, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Grenache is barrel aged in French and American oak casks for 10 months before bottling. Serve just below room temperature by refrigerating this wine bottle for up to 30 minutes. Pair this red wine blend with BBQ Pork Ribs or a Portobello Mushroom burger.
A major force on the global playing field, California is the world’s fourth largest wine-producing region on the planet and the majority of land under vine here is devoted to red varieties, covering nearly double the vineyard acreage of whites.
While the state’s incredibly diverse terrain and microclimates allow for countless red wine styles, the one factor unifying all California red wine is the abundance of sunshine and a long, consistent growing season, which leads to well-developed and fully ripened fruit.
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.