2021 Bootleg Wine Works - Red Blend Napa (750ml)

Bootleg Wine Works takes its name and playful bootlegger branding from a spirit of resourcefulness, sourcing fruit each vintage from whichever top Napa County vineyards best suit the wine that year rather than committing to a single fixed source. The wine is crafted by Brian Kosi, a UC Davis-trained winemaker who has worked at respected Napa names including Opus One, Plumpjack, Beaulieu Vineyard, and Freemark Abbey. That pedigree shows in a wine built for immediate drinking pleasure, often compared by fans to other big, cult-style California red blends.

The 2021 vintage draws primarily on Merlot and Petite Sirah, rounded out with smaller amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, in a blend of 57 percent Merlot, 36 percent Petite Sirah, 4 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3 percent Syrah. Grapes were sourced from select vineyard sites across Napa Valley and vinified to emphasize ripeness, richness, and immediate approachability rather than austerity or long-term cellaring.

The wine opens with blue fruit, cassis, lavender, and oak spice, giving way to a palate of dark cherry, plum, and vanilla, layered with bay leaf and leather. Rich tannins and balanced acidity carry through to a long, opulent finish. It stands up well to smoked brisket, wild boar ragu, or aged gouda.