Red Wine Orin Swift Abstract 2019. Decant to allow to open quicker, but not required. Like a beautiful abstract collage combines many different images into one, Abstract” combines wines from 150 different specific plots of land and harmoniously balances them together. With a drought ridden growing season, winemaker Dave Phinney was left with very low yields. He noticed that the small quantity of grapes he did have were small clusters of small berries that were intensely concentrated. After fermenting and barrel ageing each lot separately, he set out to find his abstract wine among all the barrels. Each was a good wine on its own, but when he found the right ratios, his perfect Abstract” art piece revealed itself. The first aromas include ripe black plums and Luxardo cherries. After a swirl in the glass further notes of caramel, coffee and mocha subtly slide forward. When tasting, the berry forward quality of the Grenache is balanced generously by the dusty and soft tannins. Drink with spicier beef dishes or cured pork like Jamon Iberico. Since the varietals all derive from Southern France, consider the classic Provencial Beef Daube as a perfect pairing. Orin Swift Cellars is owned and operated by David Swift Phinney. After falling in love with wine on a trip to Florence, Italy, he worked as a temporary harvester for Robert Mondavi Winery before starting Orin Swift Cellars in 1998. Orin comes from his father’s middle name while Swift is his mother’s maiden name.
2019
Red Wine Orin Swift Abstract 2019
Red Wine Orin Swift Cabernet Sauvignon Palermo 2019. Needs an hour to open up, decant if unable to wait. Of all the wines that Dave Phinney makes, he looks to this wine to be his most diverse Cabernet Sauvignon. He meticulously selects grapes from the major growing regions of Napa Valley using his expansive network of vineyards. This exhaustive work is meant to showcase the vast styles, microclimates and soil profiles of these vineyards. Like a mad scientist, the wines from different sites are blended together to find the perfect balance. With two consecutive near perfect harvests, this may be the best Cabernet Sauvignon ever made by Orin Swift. The nose and taste are as you would hope for and expect from a quality Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Toasted oak and ripe dark berries linger on the nose with a subtle touch of cassis. When tasted, the wine does not attack. It gently lingers on the palate for a moment before evolving into a full and serious wine with amazing concentration of flavor. The flavors that are most prevalent include kirsch/cherry notes, black currant, raspberry and a welcome slightly dusty finish. The lively tannins and dark fruit make it a phenomenal accompaniment to fattier red meat dishes like grilled lamb chops or a hanger steak. The tannins will cut through the glycerol mouth feel of the fattiness and clear the palate for the next bite. Orin Swift Cellars is owned and operated by David Swift Phinney. After falling in love with wine on a trip to Florence, Italy, he worked as a temporary harvester for Robert Mondavi Winery before starting Orin Swift Cellars in 1998. Orin comes from his father’s middle name while Swift is his mother’s maiden name.
2019
Red Wine Orin Swift Papillon 2019. Decant for aeration and potential sediment. Papillon is composed of the key five varietals from Bordeaux and aims to be a New World variation on the Bordeaux style. The winemaker’s intention was to place the Cabernet Sauvignon front and center with the delicate subtleties of Cabernet Franc and Merlot and the tight power of Petit Verdot and Malbec. In the glass, the wine is dark and inky with rich garnet hues. On the nose, expect a full ripe cherry note with anise, dark chocolate and a slight rosemary herbaceous quality. When first tasting, the assertive fruit makes its presence known with fresh cherries and bright raspberry jam. The fruit gives way to a sandalwood tannin, amaretto and a toasted coconut spice. The tannins are smooth, and the finish has a wonderful sweet oak quality. The Bordeaux-esque quality of this wine makes it a fantastic pair for rich meat dishes. A chateaubriand or a cotes du boeuf would be a mouthwatering combination. The wine bottle’s label uses a photograph shot by famed Hollywood photographer, and fellow winemaker, Greg Gorman. Orin Swift Cellars is owned and operated by David Swift Phinney. After falling in love with wine on a trip to Florence, Italy, he worked as a temporary harvester for Robert Mondavi Winery before starting Orin Swift Cellars in 1998. Orin comes from his father’s middle name while Swift is his mother’s maiden name
2019