The Prisoner Wine Company Blindfold 2018

Drink now or cellar up to 5 years. No decanting necessary.

With Chardonnay in mind as the base of the wine, the winemaking team began looking for unique and interesting Rhone varietals to blend into the wine. They aimed to make a white wine unlike anything made in California. With Chardonnay as the canvas, they started finding unexpected grapes to paint their painting. Chenin Blanc from Mendocino along with Grenache Blanc, Viognier, and Roussane from Santa Barbara combine with the Chardonnay to create a one-of-a-kind aromatic powerhouse.

On the nose, a blast of sultry lychee gives way to a toasty peach tart. The mouthfeel is full and rich but balances the juicy citrus notes. A unique vanilla butterscotch spice balances the texture. The finish is clean and refreshing.

As evidence of the winemakers’ attention to detail and thirst for trying new techniques, a wide variety of ageing methods were employed. During its 10 months of ageing, 85% of the wine sits in a combination of French and Hungarian oak barrels. Of the oak aged wine, 25% sees new oak. The remaining 15% of the wine ages in stainless steel. An impressive balance is found between all the varietals used and the ageing methods employed.

When pairing with food, try a light and citrusy poultry dish or a richer seafood based dish. The unique and complex quality of the wine makes it suitable to enjoy on its own as well.