At Bootleg we pay tribute to the devotion and daring that inspired our forefathers: the winegrowing rogues, who smuggled vine cuttings from renowned French vineyards and replanted them in California to elevate American wine to world class status.
In their spirit, we embrace “unconstrained winemaking,” awarding our winemaker the freedom to create the ultimate expression of each vintage—outside the bounds of a given varietal, appellation, or winemaking tradition. Without rules or expectations comes the opportunity to redefine the game.
Though the recipe may change from year to year, Bootleg’s exuberant, bold and complex blends challenge convention while remaining anchored in celebrated vineyards throughout Napa and Sonoma.
Born and raised in California, during college Gabriel understandably found he preferred California wines for their clean, fruit-forward flavors, supple tannins, and long finishes; components which would soon define his own winemaking style. After graduating from UC Davis with a degree in Viticulture and Enology, Gabriel worked with winemaking teams at notable wineries such as R.H. Phillips, Napa Wine Company, Hall Wines, and Rack & Riddle before joining Bootleg in 2019. He attributes his successes as a winemaker to skill sets obtained from his diverse experiences and from the hard work and ‘team-first’ values instilled in him by the Marine Corps.
As Bootleg winemaker, Gabriel listens to each lot of grapes and adjusts all facets of the winemaking process to bring out each component and its best expression to the blend. He crafts wines that are complex, enjoyable and not overpowered by any single note.
Bootleg Red Wine Napa County is made from 53% Petite Sirah, 41% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.4% Cabernet Franc, 0.6% Petit Verdot.
The 2019 Bootleg blends Petite Sirah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon blend from several appellations within Napa. The result is a dark red crimson color with aromas of raspberry, black cherry, barrel spice and tobacco and mocha. On the palate the wine is fruit forward with round structured tannins leading to a long finish.
Review:
Moving to a darker expression, the 2019 Bootleg Red Blend pours an inky black hue and offers up aromas of pencil shaving, boysenberry preserve, and sweet tobacco. Full-bodied, with full, ripe tannins, it reveals notes of preserved black plum, crushed purple flowers, and turned soil.
-Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points
All older vintage wines have been purchased from a single collectors cellar. Pictures can be requested before shipment.
Cassis, blackberry and cherry. White pepper, ground herbs and the strong floral perfume of crushed violets. Light and elegant, but structured with fresh acidity.
40% Whole bunch ferment in small open vats. 60% destemmed and fermented in a 5000 ltr wooden fermenter with gentle pigeage (punch down of the cap) throughout. Pressed in a traditonal wooden basket press and racked into a 3000 litre oak vat for 9 months.