Today we present the bolder side of California wine. It all started back in 1995 when on a lark, David Swift Phinney took a friend up on an offer and went to Florence, Italy to spend a semester “studying”. During that time, he was introduced to wine, and he later landed a job at Robert Mondavi Winery in 1997 as a temporary harvest worker. In 1998 he founded Orin Swift Cellars; Orin is his father’s middle name and Swift is his mother’s maiden name. Starting with two tons of Zinfandel and not much else, David spent the next decade making wine for others as well as himself and grew the company into a multinational brand. The winery also has a great tasting room in downtown Napa where you can try his brilliant range of wines.
The wines have been consistently good regardless of vintage. I love the evocative labelling and adored the 2022 Orin Swift ‘Eight Years in the Desert’ Red Wine (OB, 94) is a gorgeous Zinfandel based that is drinking beautifully now. An amazing wine, the 2022 Orin Swift ‘Abstract’ Red Wine (OB, 94) is dense and powerful with good tension from this warm vintage. Learn more about these great, intense wines at http://www.orinswift.com. Here are some of the gorgeous release wines by Orin Swift.
2022 Orin Swift ‘Abstract’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Abstract’ is a blockbuster blend of Grenache, Petite Sirah and Syrah that was stored in 31% new French oak before bottling. Inky in the glass, this delivers tar, black currants and juicy black plum on the nose with shades of milk chocolate. The palate is viscous and delicious with a smooth texture and wonderful sense of verve. Rich and layered, enjoy this decadent bottling now and over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2034- 94
2022 Orin Swift ‘Eight Years In the Desert’ Zinfandel- A great Zinfandel, the 2022 Orin Swift ‘Eight Years In the Desert’ was stored in 32% new French oak for six months prior to bottling. This wine is named for the transaction of ‘The Prisoner’ which stated that for eight years in the early 2010s, Orin Swift Cellars was barred from making any Zinfandel wines. This edition has some Petite Sirah, Syrah blended in. Inky in the glass, this delivers good flavor density with dark chocolate shavings, graphite, bramble and shades of black licorice on the palate. Dense and decadent, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2034- 94
2022 Orin Swift ‘Papillon’ Red Wine- A delicious wine to enjoy now, the 2022 ‘Pappillon’ is a proprietary blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller parts Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Stored for 13 months in 40% new French oak before bottling, this offers red bell pepper and black licorice on the nose alongside sandalwood and shades of creme de cassis. The palate is soft and inviting with a smooth texture. Loaded with dense dark fruit flavors, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2024-2032- 93
2022 Orin Swift ‘Palermo’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 ‘Palermo’ was stored in 32% new French oak for 12 months prior to bottling. Chocolate and roasted dates fill the palate alongside baking spices and shades of sweet pipe tobacco. Rich and loaded with ripe dark fruits, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2024-2032- 92
2022 Orin Swift ‘Mercury Head’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 ‘Mercury Head’ is a delicious wine that was stored for 13 months in French Oak, 60% new, before bottling. This is a barrel select wine that winemaker David Phinney chooses to be the finest representation of Napa Valley Cabernet that he has in the cellar. This is beautifully performed on the nose with black florals that parade with chocolate, Cuban cigar and shades of black currant jelly. The palate is soft and inviting with a smooth texture and dense mouthfeel. Fabulous now, enjoy over the next ten plus years. Drink 2024-2036- 95