Napa Valley · USA
2023 The Prisoner Wine Company Dérangé Red Blend
A bold, richly textured Napa red blend with cassis, star anise and plush French oak character, drinking well now and improving through 2032.
- Varietal
- Red Blend
- Region
- Napa Valley
- Vintage
- 2023
Drinking Window
In 2026: Approaching PeakDrinkable, but best years are ahead. Peak begins 2027.
Right now: As of May 2026 the 2023 Derange is just entering its drinking window, with the peak expected between 2027 and 2032. The wine is showing well right now: the French oak has integrated beautifully and the dark fruit core is expressive and inviting. A 30-to-45 minute decant will open the aromatic layers and soften any residual tannin grip. Those who cellar a few bottles will find additional savory complexity and spice integration developing through 2030 and beyond. This is a wine that rewards both immediate enjoyment and a few extra years in the cellar, making it an excellent candidate for mixed drinking now and holding some bottles for later comparison.
About The Prisoner Wine Company
The Prisoner Wine Company has built its identity around bold, complex blends that push beyond the constraints of single-varietal winemaking. Derange is the label's Napa Valley flagship red blend, conceived as a more structured and ambitious expression than the broader Prisoner Red Blend. French oak aging and a careful selection of Napa Valley fruit sources give the wine its polished, refined character. The label draws on the creative winemaking tradition established at its founding, always prioritizing complexity and a distinctive personality over convention.
Food Pairings
Braised short ribs with cassis and thyme reduction
The wine's cassis and dark fruit notes mirror the reduction perfectly, and the plush texture complements the collagen-rich richness of braised short ribs.
Smoked brisket with black pepper and oak crust
The earthy umami and black pepper notes in the wine align naturally with smoky, oak-scented brisket, creating a complementary partnership of flavors.
Dark chocolate tasting board with dried fruit
The vanilla and star anise notes in the wine find a natural affinity with dark chocolate, and the dried fruit echoes the wine's plum skin and cassis character.
Service & Cellaring
- Serving Temp
- 16-18C / 61-64F
- Decanting
- Decant for 30 to 45 minutes. The wine is already generous and approachable but the spice complexity and layered aromatics open significantly with air exposure. A wide-bottomed decanter works well for this style.
- Cellar Storage
- 12-14C / 54-57F
Frequently Asked
What is in the 2023 Derange Red Blend?
The exact blend composition varies by vintage, but Derange is a Napa Valley red blend drawing on Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and other Bordeaux varieties aged in French oak barrels.
When should I drink the 2023 Derange?
The wine is drinking well now and will peak between 2027 and 2032. It rewards both immediate enjoyment with a decant and an additional three to five years of cellaring.
How does Derange differ from the original Prisoner Red Blend?
Derange is positioned as the more structured and ambitious Napa Valley red blend in the Prisoner portfolio, with a greater focus on age-worthy concentration and French oak integration compared to the broader, more immediately approachable Prisoner Red.
Does it need to be decanted?
Yes, a 30-to-45 minute decant is recommended. The aromatic layers of star anise, bay leaf and bramble fruit open significantly with air exposure, and the tannins benefit from softening before serving.
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