# The Prisoner Cabernet Sauvignon (NV)

- **Producer:** The Prisoner Wine Company
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Merlot
- **Region:** California, United States
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 15.1%
- **Average price:** €55
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, plum, blackberry, blackcurrant, vanilla, coffee, chocolate, cedar, smoke, tobacco, cinnamon

## About this wine

The Prisoner Wine Company was originally inspired by the unorthodox blending philosophy introduced by founder Dave Phinney in 2000. Located in Napa Valley, the estate challenges traditional winemaking conventions by crafting bold, multi-varietal blends sourced from premier vineyards across Northern California. This Cabernet Sauvignon-focused bottling builds upon that house style, partnering with over 100 family-owned vineyard sites to combine grape lots from distinct microclimates.

## Interesting facts

- The label features Francisco Goya's 19th-century etching 'Le Petit Prisonnier', created to protest the Spanish War of Independence.
- The Prisoner Wine Company partners with over 100 vineyard sites across Northern California to source its fruit.
- The winery actively supports social justice and prison reform initiatives alongside its winemaking.

## Food pairing

High alcohol, full body, and robust fruit intensity require equally hearty, high-protein foods. The substantial tannin profile cuts smoothly through rich animal fats and marbleized meats, while the wine's intensity matches charred flavors, savory glazes, and intensely aged cheeses.

## Wine making process

Grapes are sourced across Northern California from varied soil types including volcanic rock, clay loam, and alluvial silt. The fruit undergoes extended skin contact and maceration lasting between 21 and 27 days, accompanied by frequent pump-overs to achieve deep extraction. The wine is aged for 15 to 16 months in a mixture of French and American oak barrels, with 30% to 50% new oak depending on the vintage.