Reviews & Ratings

2009 Blackbird Vineyards Red Blends or Varietals "Contrarian"

Winery: Blackbird Vineyards

Vintage: 2009

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Contrarian"

Wine Category: Red Blends or Varietals

Grape blend: 41% Cabernet Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon & 24% Merlot

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Napa Valley

State or country: CA

Price: $125

Cases produced: 477

KWG Score: 92.2 (based on 4 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (93)

Review date: March 26, 2012

Wine Review: This opaque and onyx colored red blend opens with an inviting fragrant blueberry and cherry vanilla bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium to full bodied, very well balanced, and a juicy. The flavor profile is a tasty black currant and boysenberry blend with notes of oak and anise. I also detected hints of blueberry and espresso. The finish is dry and its moderate fine tannins are sticky and linger for quite some time. This wine would pair well with a grilled ribeye from Grill 23. Enjoy – Ken

Winemaker Notes: The 2009 Contrarian opens with expressive scents of toffee, dark chocolate, blackberry, and smooth vanilla. On the palate, flavors of black fruit complement layers of intricately structured fine-grained tannins that hold great density and weight. The finish is polished, supple, and harmoniously precise. This wine is delicious now and will also age well over time. Blackbird's 2009 vintage wines showcase grapes farmed with an ideal hang time, offering wines with bright flavors, balanced sugars, and acidity.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Blackbird 2009 Contrarian.