Bootleg Wine Works

Napa Valley Red Blend

8.827 ratings
9.21 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Merlot, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Zinfandel
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy, Salami & Prosciutto, Exotic Spices, Baking Spices, Herbs, Chicken, Pungent Cheese, Turkey, Soft Cheese, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Duck
Top Notes For
Alan Hyde

Starts out with some strong berry put there is virtually no finish.

Starts out with some strong berry put there is virtually no finish.

1 person found it helpfulOct 12th, 2019
Isaac Pirolo

Bootleg is the newest Napa label under the Jackson Family umbrella, which also includes Cardinale, Freemark Abbey, Galerie, La Jota, Lokoya, and Mt. Brave. The label pays homage to “the winegrowing rogues, who smuggled vine cuttings from renowned French vineyards and replanted them in California.” Kristy Melton, formerly director of winemaking at Clos du Val, crafts the wines and this blend of 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Petite Sirah, 21% Zinfandel, 12% Merlot, 3% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot. The fruit is sourced from vineyards on Atlas Peak, Oakville, Mt. Veeder, Rutherford and Spring Mountain. Parker called it “off-the-charts in terms of its hedonistic appeal” and I can’t disagree. Blackberry, kirsch and cassis combine to yield an ultra rich fruit bomb, but it doesn’t stop there, adding Rutherford dust, cocoa powder, licorice, purple flowers, cedar, and crushed rock. I’ve heard several comparisons of this to the wines of Orin Swift, and while both are fruit bomb, high octane wines, I’m more inclined to compare this to something like Andy Erickson’s Leviathan.

Bootleg is the newest Napa label under the Jackson Family umbrella, which also includes Cardinale, Freemark Abbey, Galerie, La Jota, Lokoya, and Mt. Brave. The label pays homage to “the winegrowing rogues, who smuggled vine cuttings from renowned French vineyards and replanted them in California.” Kristy Melton, formerly director of winemaking at Clos du Val, crafts the wines and this blend of 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Petite Sirah, 21% Zinfandel, 12% Merlot, 3% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot. The fruit is sourced from vineyards on Atlas Peak, Oakville, Mt. Veeder, Rutherford and Spring Mountain. Parker called it “off-the-charts in terms of its hedonistic appeal” and I can’t disagree. Blackberry, kirsch and cassis combine to yield an ultra rich fruit bomb, but it doesn’t stop there, adding Rutherford dust, cocoa powder, licorice, purple flowers, cedar, and crushed rock. I’ve heard several comparisons of this to the wines of Orin Swift, and while both are fruit bomb, high octane wines, I’m more inclined to compare this to something like Andy Erickson’s Leviathan.

1 person found it helpfulDec 10th, 2017
Randy Fillingim

Still drinking pretty decent after 10 years. The fruits are running a little ahead of the tannins -but very close. Nice mouth feel. A very pleasant drink. 

Still drinking pretty decent after 10 years. The fruits are running a little ahead of the tannins -but very close. Nice mouth feel. A very pleasant drink. 

Oct 18th, 2023
Jan A
9.2

Up two points on day two (94RP)

Up two points on day two (94RP)

Oct 9th, 2019
Frank Kuo

Dark hazy purple with a bit bloody note on the rim. Nose of nice cherry, tobacco leaves, sweet dried fruit, a bit leather, a bit minty, and a bit strawberries. Taste is silky while the taste is a bit dull. Decide to wait for a few moments. After breathing, taste is quite with sweet with minty and earthy salty note, a bit zesty, and tobacco leaves again. Aftertaste is bittersweet, some bold tannins with a bit sulfate note, not impressed on the aftertaste. Overall the price tag is quite high but she has above average quality.

Dark hazy purple with a bit bloody note on the rim. Nose of nice cherry, tobacco leaves, sweet dried fruit, a bit leather, a bit minty, and a bit strawberries. Taste is silky while the taste is a bit dull. Decide to wait for a few moments. After breathing, taste is quite with sweet with minty and earthy salty note, a bit zesty, and tobacco leaves again. Aftertaste is bittersweet, some bold tannins with a bit sulfate note, not impressed on the aftertaste. Overall the price tag is quite high but she has above average quality.

Jan 16th, 2018
David Burke

Rich cherry tones with a tobacco finish.

Rich cherry tones with a tobacco finish.

Dec 16th, 2017
Jonathan Wall

Bigly big. Gratuitous use of sediment.

Bigly big. Gratuitous use of sediment.

Nov 28th, 2017
William Michael

94??? Not so much

94??? Not so much

Nov 19th, 2017
Mareta Holt Giannotta

We tasted tobacco or maybe espresso? Not a great nose considering how full it is. Wonderful color. Smooth, full but not too robust, slightly dry finish, didn't linger. Paired with steak. Very good.

We tasted tobacco or maybe espresso? Not a great nose considering how full it is. Wonderful color. Smooth, full but not too robust, slightly dry finish, didn't linger. Paired with steak. Very good.

Nov 6th, 2017
Ronnie Fung

Gina

Gina

Apr 1st, 2017