Blackbird Vineyards Contrarian Proprietary Red 2010

Blackbird Vineyards Contrarian Proprietary Red 2010 is a 750ml Napa Valley Bordeaux-style red blend bottled at 14.5% ABV. Awarded 93 points by Robert Parker in The Wine Advocate, this vintage stands out for its European-inflected structure drawn from a notably low-yielding 2010 harvest.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2010  |  Producer: Blackbird Vineyards

Production & Heritage

Blackbird Vineyards has built its reputation around Right Bank Bordeaux-inspired blends from Napa Valley. The 2010 Contrarian is composed of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Cabernet Franc, and 20% Merlot — a blend that leans heavily on Cab Franc for aromatic complexity and mid-palate texture. Winemaker Aaron Pott, whose résumé includes stints at Château Troplong-Mondot and Château La Tour Figeac in Bordeaux, fermented the wine with native yeasts and aged it entirely in French oak barrels. The 2010 growing season produced lower yields than average, resulting in concentrated fruit and a wine with pronounced European-style finesse rather than sheer power.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Expressive from the first pour, opening with leather and truffle before giving way to ripe currant and a distinctive thread of lavender. There is an underlying earthiness that recalls loamy soil and dried herbs.

Taste: The entry is marked by dense black cherry and blackberry fruit, layered with cassis and subtle anise. At the mid-palate, fine-grained tannins build with impressive density and weight, while the Cab Franc component contributes a peppery, mineral-driven spine. Plum and blueberry notes emerge as the wine opens, framed by well-integrated sweet oak.

Finish: Polished and supple, the finish carries lingering impressions of dark fruit, mineral, and gentle spice. It is persistent without being heavy, tapering with harmonious precision.

How to Drink Contrarian 2010

At over a decade old, this wine drinks well now but benefits from 30 to 45 minutes in a decanter to let its secondary aromas fully express. Serve at cellar temperature, around 60–65°F, in a large-bowled Bordeaux glass. A slight chill tightens the tannin structure and lifts the aromatics. For those who enjoy wine-based mixed drinks, the Contrarian's dark fruit intensity works in a classic red wine Sangria with citrus and stone fruit, a New York Sour where it floats atop bourbon and lemon, or a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) for a casual, unconventional serve that plays off its cassis and spice character.

Best For

• Gifting a Bordeaux enthusiast who appreciates Napa interpretations of the style
• A special dinner course paired with lamb or braised short ribs
• Adding a mature, ready-to-drink Napa red to a cellar collection
• Marking an anniversary or milestone tied to the 2010 vintage year

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Contrarian 2010 taste like? It delivers dense black cherry, currant, and blackberry fruit supported by fine-grained tannins, with secondary layers of leather, truffle, mineral, and subtle anise. The overall impression is one of structured elegance rather than fruit-forward power.

How does Contrarian 2010 compare to Opus One? Both are Napa Valley Bordeaux-style blends, but Contrarian includes a much larger proportion of Cabernet Franc (32%) and Merlot (20%), giving it a more Right Bank-influenced profile with earthier aromatics and softer mid-palate texture. Opus One is typically more Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant and structured for longer cellaring.

Is Contrarian 2010 good for sipping on its own? Yes — its well-integrated tannins, aromatic complexity, and over a decade of bottle age make it an engaging wine to drink neat, ideally after a brief decant to open the bouquet.

Where is Contrarian 2010 made? It is produced by Blackbird Vineyards in Napa Valley, California, under the direction of winemaker Aaron Pott, who brings extensive experience from Bordeaux's Right Bank estates.

What foods pair well with Contrarian 2010? Herb-crusted rack of lamb highlights the wine's lavender and pepper notes. Braised short ribs mirror its dark fruit density. Aged Gruyère or Comté complement the earthy, truffle-driven aromatics. Duck confit matches the wine's richness and tannin structure. Mushroom risotto echoes the loamy, mineral qualities on the palate.

What sizes does Contrarian 2010 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.

Is Contrarian 2010 worth the price? Contrarian positions as a premium Napa Valley proprietary red, and the 93-point Robert Parker score alongside winemaker Aaron Pott's pedigree place it competitively among estate-level Napa Bordeaux blends in its price tier.

Why Contrarian 2010?

The 2010 vintage is one of Blackbird's most acclaimed Contrarian releases, earning 93 points from Robert Parker, 92 from Jeff Leve, and 90 from Wine Spectator. Aaron Pott's Bordeaux training shows in the wine's restrained, Old World-leaning structure — a deliberate counterpoint to the more fruit-driven style typical of many Napa reds. The low-yielding 2010 harvest concentrated the fruit and intensified the tannic architecture, producing a wine that has aged gracefully and continues to drink well over a decade later. For collectors and drinkers drawn to Napa Valley wines that channel Right Bank Bordeaux sensibility, this release remains a compelling reference point.