All Prisoner lots are evaluated for character. The most concentrated and delicious lots of each variety were selected for Dérangé. After lot selection, all barrels destined for Dérangé were hand-selected by tasting each and every one. This red blend is full of black cherry, clove spice, blackberry cobbler, and vanilla toast. The mouthfeel is full on the entry and the soft tannins and balanced acidity are a delicious combo. Lots were hand-harvested and delivered to the winery. There, they were destemmed and put into stainless steel tanks for fermentation. The fruit was pumped over twice per day to extract maximum color with balanced tannins. After 15–25 days on skins, the grapes were pressed off, keeping any hard press separate. The new wines were barreled down into French oak where they aged for 18 months.

Winemaker Notes: This red blend is full of dark fruit aromas with baking spice, vanilla, and mocha. The mouthfeel is full and rich on the entry. The soft, fine tannins and balanced acidity lead to a full, lengthy finish.

The Vintage: 2016 was an excellent growing year overall. Generous winter rains were followed by an early bud break. Mild weather continued throughout summer and the beginning of harvest. Some heat spikes arrived in late September, but harvest ended with cool temperatures and rain beginning in mid-October.

Winemaking: After a short cold soak, the grapes were inoculated with yeast, fermented, and the must was pressed off. The wine settled in stainless steel and was then racked off heavy lees into a mixture of new and neutral oak. After about nine months, individual lots were selected for this one-time-only blend which continued to age for another nine months in oak.

Variatal Composition:

Cabernet Sauvignon – Provides structure, density, black cherry

Petite Sirah – Richness, mid palate, concentration

Merlot – Blackberry cobbler, juiciness, acidity

Syrah – Violet, spice, earthiness, depth

Zinfandel – Glue bringing varietals together, softness, red cherry