If you do not like big and bold California wine, this might not be for you. 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 are remarkably consistent. I love the 2023 Orin Swift ‘Eight Years in the Desert’ Red Wine (OB, 93) which is a killer Zinfandel based that is drinking beautifully now. Learn more about these great, intense wines at http://www.orinswift.com. Here are some of the gorgeous release wines by Orin Swift.
2023 Orin Swift ‘Mannequin’ Chardonnay- The 2023 ‘Mannequin’ Chardonnay is a smooth and rich bottling that is drinking marvelously now. Brioche and poached pear flavors mingle well with dense honeydew melon on the palate. Drink 2025-2031- 91
2023 Orin Swift ‘Abstract’ Red Wine- The 2023 ‘Abstract’ is a beautiful proprietary combination of Petite Sirah, Grenache, Syrah, and Zinfandel that was aged seven months in 30% new oak prior to bottling. On the nose this delivers violet rose petals alongside Hoisin sauce, milk chocolate and green herbs. The palate is plush and rich with a terrific mouthfeel and and texture. Drink 2025-2034- 93
2023 Orin Swift ‘Eight Years In the Desert’ Zinfandel- An outstanding edition of Zinfandel, the 2023 Orin Swift ‘Eight Years In the Desert’ was storied in mainly neutral French oak for six months prior to bottling. This comes off round and generous, loaded with bright red and dark fruits that collide with chocolate cake and Arabica bean on the palate. Drink 2025-2034- 93
2022 Orin Swift ‘Palermo’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 ‘Palermo’ was aged for 12 months in French oak (31% new) before bottling. This is forward and juicy with fresh sage and black currants alongside dark chocolate shavings on the palate. Drink 2025-2032- 92
2023 Orin Swift ‘Mercury Head’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 ‘Mercury Head’ is a heady and delicious Cabernet Sauvignon that was stored in mainly new French oak before bottling. Inky in the glass, this delivers cassis, wintergreen and black cherry compote on the nose alongside creme de cassis. This comes off velvety and silky with a refined mouthfeel and great concentration of elegance and depth. Drink 2025-2038- 95
2023 Orin Swift ‘Machete’ Red Wine- A truly unique bottling, the 2023 ‘Machete’ is a combination of Petite Sirah, Syrah and Grenache that was stored in 35% new French oak prior to bottling. This is dense and ripe stuff with boysenberry compote, dark chocolate pie, smoked brisket and suggestions of Turkish coffee on the palate. Drink 2025-2033- 93