The Prisoner Wine Company, Cuttings, California
The Prisoner Wine Company · California › United States of America
Critics Average score from professional wine critics and publications.
89
/100
Reviews
16
professional
Vintages
No vintages
NV
Community Reviews
2020
Reviews
89.1
Avg Score
92
Highest
Taster #2840
· Jan 15, 2026
90/100
No detailed notes, but much better than it was a few years ago. Delightful nose, nice balance, long finish… good value.
2018 vintage
Taster #4282
· Oct 1, 2025
88/100
Aromas of black fruit, vanilla and subtle black tea. Full body. Juicy cherry. Chew tannins. Long and warm finish
2018 vintage
Taster #2298
· Mar 25, 2024
This was either corked or bad wine. There were cab nuances, but ... not enjoyable.
2018 vintage
Taster #1726
· Dec 6, 2023
90/100
PnP... Dark pour (4) with hints of oak and dark fruit. (13) Bold, dark cherry, smokey, and peppery (17), with a dry and hot finish. (6)
2018 vintage
Taster #4742
· Nov 23, 2023
87/100
smooth and fruity with a touch of spice at the end. cherry, wood, sand, raspberries and a bit of apple
2018 vintage
Taster #8734
· Aug 13, 2023
89/100
Fruit bomb. Not my favorite style, but very in line with the Prisoner wines. Over extracted and jammy. Chocolate covered cherries and oak. With more air it improved and rounded out a bit. By no means a bad wine, and if you like this style you’ll be very pleased.
2018 vintage
Taster #1803
· May 6, 2023
90/100
This has really improved over time. Definitely a crowd pleaser. Good depth - typical Dave Phinney. Big and bold.
2018 vintage
Taster #8992
· Dec 17, 2022
Tri tip
2018 vintage
Taster #5421
· Nov 25, 2022
Christmas 2022
2018 vintage
Taster #5964
· Jul 21, 2022
92/100
I was not charmed by this wine when I tasted it last year but it has turned a corner and become very nice. Lovely Oakville-ish nose in the dried tobacco leaf, Opus-like way. Tannins nicely resolved and complex palate.
2018 vintage
Taster #2528
· Jul 16, 2022
Excellent
2018 vintage
Taster #1251
· Nov 24, 2021
92/100
Napa Cab: strong oak, smooth tannins
2018 vintage
Taster #6197
· Oct 31, 2021
91/100
Very dark, sleek and smooth with satisfying texture, and the expected intensity of flavor exhibited in the best development of Cabernet Sauvignon. Subtle but sufficient complexity with blueberry, dark cherry, cocoa, coffee, vanilla, anise, black tea, tobacco. Excellent mouthfeel. Somewhat restrained in profile, with satisfying finish.
2018 vintage
Taster #4988
· Jul 18, 2021
88/100
The wine looks purple colored. It smells like blackberry and red currant. It tastes like black currant (cassis) and cinnamon. The body is medium/full. The wine has fleshy texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has medium acidity. Tried and true, has the Prisoner characteristics with a bit of the edge taken off
2018 vintage
Taster #6375
· Apr 25, 2021
88/100
Was expecting a bit more here. Not a ton of complexity or finish. Let decant for about 45 minutes. Second glass I could taste more oak, which was nice. But overall, was a bit lacking. Smooth. But not much to it.
2018 vintage
Taster #1605
· Apr 22, 2021
92/100
Berries and vanilla on the nose Bursting with dark berries, slight earthiness to it. Oak and vanilla extract in the finish.
2018 vintage
Taster #7526
· Dec 25, 2020
85/100
Very purple hue. Nose - flint, earthiness, cassis. Palate - full bodied, good feel. Dark berries, too much oak and vanilla on the palate for my liking.
2018 vintage
Taster #0255
· Dec 11, 2020
91/100
Popped and aired for 45 minutes then poured and enjoyed with prime rib and mushroom risotto and it paired very well. I think it’s typical of the wineries style - full bodied and well rounded with plenty of dark fruit to chew on. Can easily rest and develop for another five years in the bottle.
2018 vintage
Taster #4272
· May 6, 2020
90/100
A very nice Cab! It has a very nice berry forward start. That kind of mellows in the middle with a little spice. Then it finishes clean with a nice little vanilla finish.
Taster #4771
· Apr 1, 2020
82/100
A water-downed Caymus (and not in a good way).
2018 vintage