2013 The Prisoner Wine Company Cuttings Cabernet Sauvignon

The Prisoner Wine Company was founded in 2000 by Dave Phinney, a winemaker with a flair for entrepreneurship. In the late 1990s he founded Orin Swift Cellars, which quickly earned compliments for its Zinfandels and other big, flavorful wines. Part of Phinney’s business model is a creative approach to labels, and his Prisoner labels were inspired by the etchings of Francisco Jose de Goya, a Spanish artist who documented the ravages of war. In 2010 The Prisoner Wine Company was purchased by Agustin Huneeus, a long-time wine industry executive who owns Quintessa in Napa Valley, among other wineries around the world. In 2016 Constellation Brands bought The Prisoner from Huneeus Vintners. Prisoner wines are made from grapes sourced throughout California. Jen Beloz is winemaker. Beloz worked at Ravenswood for a decade before joining The Prisoner Wine Company. Though the company makes several wines, its namesake wine is The Prisoner, a blend inspired by the tastes of the Italian immigrants who first made wine in Napa Valley. The Prisoner is generally a blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Sirah and Charbono. Wine Advocate notes that Prisoner wines “are distinctive, creative blends of exceptionally high quality…. that deliver lots of hedonistic joy and satisfaction.”

One of the most widely grown grape varieties, it can be found in nearly every wine growing region. A cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a hardy vine that produces a full-bodied wine with high tannins and great aging potential.