2013 Contrarian Red Blend
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Tasting notes
The most backward of this quartet is the 2013 Proprietary Red Contrarian, a blend of 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot. It sounds like a California version of the famous Château Figeac in St.-Emilion in terms of composition. The wine offers up notes of Christmas fruitcake, cedar wood, licorice, red and blackcurrants, and loamy soil undertones. Like so many 2013s, it has a dense color, terrific fruit, great acidity and ripe, sweet, well-integrated tannin. It should evolve nicely for 12-15+ years.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2013 Contrarian is the darkest and most massive of these wines from Blackbird. Huge swaths of tannin cut across the palate. Deep, explosive and inviting, the 2013 holds plenty of depth in its inky blue and purplish fruit, grilled herbs, mocha and chocolate. Like all of the Blackbird wines, the Contrarian is powerful and super-extracted. Accordingly, it is going to need a few years to shed some of its youthful exuberance.
The 2013 Contrarian is the inkiest of these offerings from Blackbird. Still remarkably primary, the 2013 tastes like a 2014 just drained from tank, so intense are the flavors. Although incredibly unevolved, the 2013 boasts compelling texture and persistence, both of which make me hopeful for the future.