The Prisoner is a popular Napa Valley red blend, which I believe is predominantly zinfandel and cab sav.
In the glass, this wine is very dark in the center and lighter crimson on the edges.
Nose: predominantly black currant, clove, and fig. Fruit forward and jammy, but limited oak and vanilla.
No surprises on the palate. Black fruit, cassis, clove, plum, fig. I guess one surprise is alcohol hidden very well despite > 15%.
This wine delivers exactly what its target audience wants: a hedonistic wine that is shockingly well balanced and not over-oaked.
Lots of "it lacks complexity" and "it isn't interesting" comments, but that's not the point. This tastes fucking good and doesn't make you sick with too much oak. Best with a hearty meal.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Coming from the Marlborough region of New Zealand, this is a pinot noir from a producer better known for its sauvignon blanc.
Unmistakably pinot noir in the glass. Light, soft red hue with a watery rim.
On the nose: maraschino cherries, perfumed rose, vanilla coke.
The palate follows the nose, revealing tart, forward red fruit, mainly cherry and raspberry. There is a subtle lush, velvety texture, similar to Flowers. The fruit on the palate is carried with strong acidity. The oak is apparent due to the lingering vanilla in the background. This remains concentrated on the palate with a short to medium finish.
Although a tad over-oaked, the concentration of the fruit and fragrant nose are above average. With the price in mind, this is a strong effort from Oyster Bay.
In the glass, soft garnet color reveals moderate age.
The nose is dominated by sweet plum and herbs. The alcohol is noticeable on the nose, quite strong. After a couple hours, pencil shavings became noticeable.
On the palate, blackberries and black currant are the main fruits. The acidity is nicely balanced. On the finish, the herbal quality comes back and lasts a good while.
Overall, this was a nicely balanced southern Rhone blend with more of a grenache profile than syrah.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
2018 Prisoner Wine Company The Prisoner
2/29/2020 - jwbuckman Likes this wine: 91 Points
The Prisoner is a popular Napa Valley red blend, which I believe is predominantly zinfandel and cab sav.
In the glass, this wine is very dark in the center and lighter crimson on the edges.
Nose: predominantly black currant, clove, and fig. Fruit forward and jammy, but limited oak and vanilla.
No surprises on the palate. Black fruit, cassis, clove, plum, fig. I guess one surprise is alcohol hidden very well despite > 15%.
This wine delivers exactly what its target audience wants: a hedonistic wine that is shockingly well balanced and not over-oaked.
Lots of "it lacks complexity" and "it isn't interesting" comments, but that's not the point. This tastes fucking good and doesn't make you sick with too much oak. Best with a hearty meal.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2018 Oyster Bay Pinot Noir
2/28/2020 - jwbuckman Likes this wine: 90 Points
Coming from the Marlborough region of New Zealand, this is a pinot noir from a producer better known for its sauvignon blanc.
Unmistakably pinot noir in the glass. Light, soft red hue with a watery rim.
On the nose: maraschino cherries, perfumed rose, vanilla coke.
The palate follows the nose, revealing tart, forward red fruit, mainly cherry and raspberry. There is a subtle lush, velvety texture, similar to Flowers. The fruit on the palate is carried with strong acidity. The oak is apparent due to the lingering vanilla in the background. This remains concentrated on the palate with a short to medium finish.
Although a tad over-oaked, the concentration of the fruit and fragrant nose are above average. With the price in mind, this is a strong effort from Oyster Bay.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
2015 Domaine le Renard Cairanne
2/26/2020 - jwbuckman Likes this wine: 91 Points
This is a GSM from southern Rhone with 60% syrah.
In the glass, soft garnet color reveals moderate age.
The nose is dominated by sweet plum and herbs. The alcohol is noticeable on the nose, quite strong. After a couple hours, pencil shavings became noticeable.
On the palate, blackberries and black currant are the main fruits. The acidity is nicely balanced. On the finish, the herbal quality comes back and lasts a good while.
Overall, this was a nicely balanced southern Rhone blend with more of a grenache profile than syrah.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment