2021 THORN MERLOT BY THE PRISONER

$75

Total $75
Total
90 Points, Wine Spectator

A blast of spiced fresh berries and dense color are the first impression. This is a muscly red wine and the red fruit and notes of under-ripe blueberries and nutmeg are carried through to the finish leaving you wanting more. Bright acidity makes this wine pair with anything, especially Dim Sum or sticky BBQ baby back ribs.

Blueberries
Nutmeg 

Spiced Fresh Berries
Red Fruit

ABV 14.5%

Vintage 2021

Varietal Merlot

Appellation Napa Valley

Varietal Composition: 87% Merlot, 13% Syrah

Chef Brett recommends pairing Thorn with Dim Sum or sticky BBQ baby back ribs.

Winemaking is mostly happening in the vineyard on this one as well. The meticulous farming of our growers brings us such high quality fruit, our job is to roll out the carpet and get out of the way. Merlot is coming from the Carneros Lake Vineyard in Carneros, and Rodger's Vineyard in Oak Knoll. Syrah also comes from Rodger's Vineyard. All of the fruit was harvested by hand and gently destemmed, then fermented in separate tanks for 10-14 days. The must is pressed to remove the skins and seeds. The separate lots then age in a mix ~45% new French and American oak  for 16 months. When the tannins are aged to perfection, we blend the lots into Thorn. This wine will age for 10-15 years as well, but made to drink with food today!

Pts. Wine Spectator "Plump and polished, with bright, medium-bodied black cherry flavors accented by vanilla and toasty spice notes that end with supple tannins. Drink now through 2030." - Tim Fish, Wine Spectator, October 2024