Reviews & Ratings

2010 Blackbird Vineyards Red Blends or Varietals "Contrarian"

Winery: Blackbird Vineyards

Vintage: 2010

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Contrarian"

Wine Category: Red Blends or Varietals

Grape blend: 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Cabernet Franc, & 20% Merlot

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Napa Valley

State or country: CA

Price: $125

Cases produced: 642

KWG Score: 93.3 (based on 3 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (92)

Review date: June 20, 2013

Wine Review: This impressive midnight blue colored red blend from Blackbird opens with an inviting blueberry and blackberry bouquet. On the palate, this wine is full bodied, balanced, juicy and very smooth. The flavor profile is an extracted blackberry with notes of black currant. I also detected hints of black licorice and a touch of oak. The finish is dry and its moderate tannins are a tad sticky and linger. This rich wine would benefit from a little decanting in the near term. Then I would serve it with a well-marbled ribeye, Enjoy - Ken

Winemaker Notes: The 2010 Contrarian opens with expressive notes of leather, truffle, succulent currant and lavender. On the palate, flavors of black fruit complement layers of intricately structured, fine-grained tannins that hold great density and weight. The lush mid-palate leads to a polished, supple and harmoniously-precise finish. This wine is gratifying now and will age gloriously with time in the cellar. - Winemaker, Aaron Pott

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Blackbird 2010 Contrarian.