2019 Contrarian Red Blend
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Tasting notes
A blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Cabernet Franc and 13% Merlot, the 2019 Contrarian Proprietary Red is cedary but ripe, filled with black cherries and cassis, with just a hint of licorice. It's full-bodied and rich without being heavy, ending with notes of dark chocolate and loam on the long, velvety finish. Nearly approachable already, it should drink well for close to two decades.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2019 Contrarian is a huge, dense wine. A blast of sweet dark cherry, plum, spice, new leather and chocolate give the 2019 its immediate, bold personality. This extroverted, plush Cabernet Sauvignon-based red packs plenty of punch. Dried herbs, lavender, chocolate and spice linger.
I also loved the 2019 Contrarian Proprietary Red, a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Merlot. It has a deep purple color as well as a perfumed bouquet of ripe dark berry fruits (currants, blackberries) as well as smoked earth, graphite, and truffle. Medium to full-bodied, balanced, and seamless, it has enough tannins to warrant 4-5 years of bottle age and will keep for two decades.
The 2019 Contrarian, Blackbird's Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine, hulks in the glass with tremendous fruit presence and tons of pure stature. Inky, savory and super-expressive, the 2019 has so much going on. There is a lot of richness, but plenty of structure beneath it all.