The Prisoner Red Blend 2021 75cl

The Prisoner started life as a modern take on the old "mixed blacks" — the field blends Italian immigrants planted across California a century ago — and it has since become one of America's cult red blends. The 2021 folds together Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Merlot and Malbec.

That grab-bag of grapes is the whole idea. Zinfandel brings the jammy heart, Petite Sirah the dark colour and grip, the Cabernet and Syrah a savoury backbone, and Merlot and Malbec fill in the plush middle. It's blended for impact and layered with a portion of new oak in the house style. Nobody would call it subtle, but it knows exactly what it wants to be.

The producer's own notes point to Bing cherry, dark chocolate, clove and roasted fig on the nose. The palate piles on raspberry, boysenberry and pomegranate with a wash of vanilla, and the finish is smooth and luscious, everything lingering together. It's rich, ripe and unashamedly crowd-pleasing.

At £49.99 you're paying for a name and a mood as much as the liquid, but it delivers reliably as a bold, generous red for a good night in. Drink it now — it's made for pleasure today, not the cellar.

How to Serve

Serve at 16–18°C in a large glass. A short decant of half an hour lets the sweeter fruit stretch out.

Where to Drink It

Brat in Shoreditch for smoky, fire-cooked plates. Planque in Haggerston for a livelier evening. Or Dandy on Maltby Street for something laid-back.

Food Pairings

Sticky barbecue ribs or a pulled-pork bun — the sweet, smoky fruit loves a bit of char and sauce. Burgers work just as happily.