The Prisoner Wine Company Red Blend
The Prisoner Red Blend is a 750mL California red wine — a Zinfandel-led blend with Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Charbono in its classic composition, documented at 15.2% ABV on the producer's 2021 info sheet. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 15.2% (producer info sheet, 2021; no sheet for this bottle's vintage was found — see flag)
- Size: 750mL
- Blend: Zinfandel-led, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Charbono (classic composition; later-vintage sheets list Merlot and Malbec instead of Charbono — see flag)
- Origin: California appellation (producer info sheets), with Napa Valley among its key sources
The Blend That Broke the Rules
The Prisoner was created by Dave Phinney under Orin Swift, inspired by the "mixed blacks" blends first made by Italian immigrants who settled in Napa Valley, and named for the Goya etching on its label. Phinney began developing the brand in 1997 and made about 385 cases of the inaugural 2000 vintage; its Zinfandel-led recipe — heretical for Cabernet-dominated Napa at the time — grew it to some 85,000 cases before he sold the brand in 2008, per trade reporting. It is now made by The Prisoner Wine Company, in Constellation Brands' portfolio, sourcing from growers across California appellations, with Napa sources such as the Solari Family Vineyard in Calistoga and Korte Ranch in St. Helena named in producer copy. Find the rest of the range on The Prisoner Wine Company vendor page and more bold reds in our red wine collection.
Tasting Notes
The classic-era producer notes describe enticing aromas of Bing cherry, dark chocolate, clove, and roasted fig, then persistent flavours of ripe raspberry, boysenberry, pomegranate, and vanilla, finishing smooth and luscious — a bold, plush style where Zinfandel's bramble fruit rides over Cabernet structure and Petite Sirah depth.
How to Enjoy
Serve at 16–18°C; a short decant helps it open. Pair with barbecue ribs, burgers, grilled steak, lamb kebabs, or dark chocolate. More big California reds are in our wine collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What grapes are in The Prisoner Red Blend?
In its classic composition, Zinfandel leads, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Charbono. Recent producer info sheets (2021/2022) list Merlot and Malbec in place of Charbono — the blend has changed by era.
Is The Prisoner a Napa Valley wine?
Its official appellation is California, per the producer's info sheets, though Napa Valley growers are among its key sources and the brand was born in Napa. This listing's Napa Valley tag is flagged accordingly.
Who created The Prisoner?
Dave Phinney, under Orin Swift — he developed the brand from 1997 and released the first vintage in 2000, selling it in 2008; it is now made by The Prisoner Wine Company (Constellation Brands).
The original rule-breaking red blend is on the shelf — order The Prisoner Red Blend online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.