Josh Cellars Merlot
Merlot · California
$14.99
Showing image 1 of 1: The Prisoner Thorn Merlot 750 Ml front bottle
The Prisoner Wine Company Thorn Merlot
The Prisoner Wine Company · California · United States
$43.99
1
Only 3 left in stock
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Why it’s a great value
If you want to spend less, Sterling Vineyards Napa Merlot is $22.99.
Taste profile
SweetnessDry → Sweet
BodyLight → Full
Acidity*Soft → Bright
Tannin*Silky → Grippy
Oak*None → Bold
Fruit*Subtle → Intense
* WineDiscounts editorial estimate based on verified tasting notes.
What it tastes like
A ripe, plush Napa Merlot with blackberry, dried red berry, cocoa, sweet spice and a long, soft finish.
You’ll like this if…
Choose this if you like The Prisoner Red Blend, rich California Merlot, or smooth Napa reds with dark fruit and spice.
Why buy it
It gives Merlot the full-bodied Prisoner treatment: broad texture, generous fruit and enough spice and cocoa character for hearty food.
Best for
Steak, short ribs, roast pork, duck, mushroom dishes and gifting to fans of polished California reds.
Style
Full-bodied, fruit-forward, plush and modern.
Drinks like
Napa Merlot, Merlot-based California red blends, richer Right Bank-inspired blends
Experience level
Easy for casual red-wine drinkers, but with enough Napa richness for shoppers trading up.
Flavor notes
Pairs well with
Beef: grilled steak(winery pick) · braised short ribs
Pork: roasted pork loin with herbs(winery pick)
Poultry: roast duck(winery pick)
Cheese: aged Gouda or Gruyere
Best occasions
Serving & enjoying
- Serving temperature:
- 60-65°F
- Decanting:
- 20 minutes for the fruit and spice to open up
- Glassware:
- Large Bordeaux-style red wine glass
- Drink or cellar:
- Enjoy now; the store does not track vintage, so avoid making long-cellar assumptions
- After opening:
- Best within 2-3 days, recorked and refrigerated
Guidance partly estimated by WineDiscounts from the wine’s style.
About this wine
The Prisoner Thorn is a plush Napa Valley Merlot blend with mixed berry, blackberry, dried red berry, sweet spice and cocoa notes. Soft and generous in texture, it finishes long with holiday-spice accents and the richness shoppers expect from The Prisoner style.
Wine details
- Type
- red
- Varietal
- Merlot
- Grapes
- Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec
- Producer
- The Prisoner Wine Company
- Country
- United States
- Region
- California
- Appellation
- Napa Valley
- Bottle size
- 750 Ml
- ABV
- 14.5%
Details last verified September 25, 2026
Winemaking details ›
- Winemaker:
- Todd Ricard, Director of Winemaking
- Vineyard source:
- Merlot from small, premium vineyard lots in Napa Valley, according to the producer.
- Vessel:
- French and Hungarian oak barrels are stated by a retailer product description; not confirmed on the current producer page.
About the winery · The Prisoner Wine Company ›
The Prisoner Wine Company is a Napa Valley-based producer known for modern California blends and bold label design. The brand began with The Prisoner red blend and has expanded into a broader portfolio built around unconventional grape combinations. The producer says Director of Winemaking Todd Ricard and his team work with over 100 growers in northern California. Thorn applies that blending mindset to Napa Valley Merlot, using smaller lots and complementary varieties to build color, fruit and texture.
Easier on the wallet
$22.99Sterling Vineyards Napa Merlot
Merlot · California
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Frequently asked questions
- Is The Prisoner Wine Company Thorn Merlot dry or sweet?
- The Prisoner Wine Company Thorn Merlot is bone dry — its sweetness rating is 1 on our 1 (bone dry) to 5 (sweet) scale. It is medium-to-full bodied.
- What does The Prisoner Wine Company Thorn Merlot taste like?
- A ripe, plush Napa Merlot with blackberry, dried red berry, cocoa, sweet spice and a long, soft finish.
- What food pairs with The Prisoner Wine Company Thorn Merlot?
- It pairs well with grilled steak, braised short ribs, roasted pork loin with herbs, roast duck and mushroom risotto.
- How should I serve The Prisoner Wine Company Thorn Merlot?
- Serve at 60-65°F. 20 minutes for the fruit and spice to open up. Glass: Large Bordeaux-style red wine glass.
- Is there a similar wine that costs less than The Prisoner Wine Company Thorn Merlot?
- Sterling Vineyards Napa Merlot is a comparable Merlot at $22.99. See Sterling Vineyards Napa Merlot
- What is the bottle size and alcohol content of The Prisoner Wine Company Thorn Merlot?
- 750 ml bottle, 14.5% alcohol by volume.