The Prisoner Wine Company is leading the resurgence of California red blends. They acquire grapes from more than 100 vineyards throughout California’s premier grape-growing regions of various varietals to create their blends. The Prisoner Red Blend 2021 which I received was inspired by the wines first made by the Italian immigrants who originally settled in Napa Valley. It was released two decades ago as a complex blend of some of California’s best and most unusual grape varieties.
The Prisoner 2021 is a red wine blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Charbono grapes. Have you heard of Charbono before? If not, does Bonarda sound familiar? They are the same grape. Bonarda is probably best known for being grown in Argentina and is the second most widely planted red grape after Malbec. I read that Charbono is primarily grown in the Calistoga area of California. Now you know.
The Label
From the winery, “Our brand name and flagship label were inspired by an etching titled Le Petit Prisonnier by 19th century Spanish artist Francisco Goya. Its subtitle translates to “the custody is as barbaric as the crime”. The sketch is part of Goya’s series The Disasters of War, created as a visual protest to the injustice and brutality of the Spanish War of Independence in 1808. From our founding, The Prisoner Wine Company has stood against oppression while embracing creativity. Fighting injustices in our society,
This Article was originally published on My Wine Pal
