2022 Contrarian Red Blend
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Tasting notes
Full bottle 1,408 g. Deep purple. Smoky cassis and blackberry jam with a bit of jalapeño. Firm tannin and elevated fresh acidity with restrained alcohol (for Napa). The structure lasts longer than the fruit on the finish. (SCJ)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Blackberry, currants, leafy tobacco, graphite, and chocolate notes all emerge from the 2022 Contrarian Proprietary Red, a blend of 87.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5.5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, and a splash of Petit Verdot. Medium-bodied and elegant on the palate, with firm tannins, it shows a focused, pure style that will benefit from 3-4 years of bottle age.
A blend of 87.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5.5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, Blackbird's 2022 Contrarian Proprietary Red features ripe red cherries with some black cherries mixing in, plus subtle hints of vanilla. Sourced mainly from southern portions of the valley, it's medium to full-bodied, plush, soft, creamy and lush, perhaps a bit atypical for Cabernet Sauvignon but accessible and frankly delicious.
The 2022 Contrarian is laced with super-ripe blue/purplish fruit, lavender, cloves, graphite and mocha. Soft, forward and nicely balanced, the 2022 has a lot to offer, in the open-knit style of the year.