I've long been a huge fan of Orin Swift wines. I find all their wines to have excellent QPR, with some being a downright bargain. I managed to find a bottle of Orin Swift Palermo Cabernet Sauvignon this weekend. This left me with the full line up of current red wine releases from Orin Swift. With a few friends present, we happily worked our way through tasting them all. A fun night with great wine. The wines tasted are 2009 Abstract, 2009 Machete, 2009 The Prisoner, 2008 Mercury Head, 2009 D66 Grenache, 2009 Palermo Cabernet Sauvignon and 2008 SALADO Zinfandel.
2009 Orin Swift Abstract 15.75% ABV $25.00
Abstract is a blend of Grenache, Petite Sirah and Syrah. The wine is mostly from hillside vineyards in Sonoma County, California. Pours out a deep red with big fruit on the nose. An oppulent fruit bomb in the mouth. A big wine that will benefit from a little aging but can absolutely be drunk now. Give it a good hour of air before consuming. Highly recommended.
2009 Orin Swift Machete 15.20% ABV $38.00
Machete, like Abstarct, is a red blend. The grapes come from Sonoma, Napa & Mendocino counties. The blend is 49% Petite Sirah, 30% Grenache & 21% Syrah. Pours out inky. Blackberry, anise and cedar box on the nose. Red cherry, currants and cranberry on the palate. A big wine, up there with Papillon, with concentrated flavors. I can see this getting better with a little age. If you want to drink it now let it breath for 90 minutes. Highly recommended.
2009 Orin Swift The Prisoner 15.20% ABV $35.00
Another red wine blend. The Prisoner is 51% Zinfandel, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Syrah, 7% Petite Sirah, 3% Charbono, 1% Grenache and 1% Malbec (the Orin Swift website these numbers are approximate). Deep ruby in color with a lovely fruity nose of blackberry, cassis and black cherry. Jammy red fruit in the mouth with a good deal of tanin. Not as good as past vinatages but still a quality wine. With some aging this could well live up to the past vinatges that have excelled. Recommended but let it age some.
2008 Orin Swift Mercury Head Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 15.50% $75.00
Mercury Head is 100% Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from the Morisoli, Lewelling and Taplin Vineyards and is aged for 18 months in French oak, 30% new French oak. Pours out deep purple in color. Wonderful cab nose with cedar box, cassis and toasted oak. A huge wine in the mouth that is quite chewy. Lush fruit and a full mouthfeel. Bold and assertive. A great wine that needs to age. This will be good through 2020. Highly recommended for cellaring.
2009 Orin Swift Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes D66 Grenache 15.20% ABV $38.00
D66 is the inaugural release from Orin Swift's new winery and vineyards in Maury, France. The small town of Maury is in the outer Roussillon, very close to the Spanish border and nestled in the Pyrénées-Orientales. Very dark red in color with little light getting through. Toast and blueberry jam on the nose with a touch of violet. Opulent fruit in the mouth balanced with nice acidity. Hides the alcohol well. An excellent wine that will improve and settle down with age. Highly recommended.
2009 Orin Swift Palermo Cabernet Sauvignon 15.50% ABV $28.00
90% Cabernet Sauvignon blended with 10% Merlot, all from the Napa Valley (Howell Mountain, Oakville, Rutherford, Saint Helena, and Spring Mountain). Pours out deep red in color. Dark berries on the nose. A bit more subdued than a typical Dave Phinney wine. Black raspberry, black cherry and plum in the mouth. Compared to a typical California Cab this has less oak and more fruit. Great wine, very well priced. Ready to drink now, just decant it for an hour or so. Excellent QPR. Highly recommended.
2008 Orin Swift SALADO Zinfandel 15.50% ABV $28.00
A blend of 88% Zinfandel, 8% Syrah and 4% Petite Syrah from the Sonoma, Mendocino, Amador and Contra Costa appelations. Purplish in color with a little inkiness. Jammy fruit on the nose. Bold fruit in the mouth, a little extracted. Some spice, mostly pepper. Mild tanins. A good wine but if you are a huge fan of The Prisoner this may seem like its little brother. Almost as good but not quite there. Still a very good wine though. Recommended.
Comments