2018 Contrarian Red Blend
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Tasting notes
Lots of blackcurrants and blackberry fruits as well as toasted spice, leafy herbs, truffle, and tobacco emerge from the 2018 Contrarian Proprietary Red, a full-bodied, wonderfully textured, elegant wine based on 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Merlot. It will have 15+ years of prime drinking.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2018 Contrarian Proprietary Red is a blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Cabernet Franc and 13% Merlot. Deep garnet-purple colored, it charges out of the glass with bold cassis, black plums and boysenberries scents plus hints of chocolate box and beef drippings. Full-bodied and rich, with a firm, grainy texture, the palate has bags of taut, energetic black fruits and a lively lift to the finish. This is expected to be released in July 2021.
The 2018 Contrarian is a rich, explosive wine. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, new leather, licorice, incense and cloves imbue this heady Cabernet with tons of depth, power and resonance. The 2018 Contrarian is a total knock-out and also one of the finest wines I have ever tasted from Blackbird.
The 2018 Contrarian is a rich, full-bodied wine. Savory herbs, cedar, licorice, tobacco, menthol, plum and black cherry all run through this super-expressive, nuanced wine. The 2018 is massively tannic and in need of serious time, although that should not be an issue for readers who can be patient.