8 years in the desert 2021 (Orin Swift)

Drink now or cellar for up to 12 years. Decant 1 hour before serving. One of America’s quirkiest small wineries, Orin Swift Cellars was founded by talented winemaker David Swift Phinney in 1998. He first fell in love with winemaking while on a trip to Florence, and later he worked for the legendary Robert Mondavi winery before striking out on his own. His winery is named after his father's middle name, Orin, and his mother’s maiden name, Swift. This unusual bottle is typical of David’s maverick style. Designed as an homage to California, it’s a Zinfandel-based blend with some Syrah and Petite Sirah added for extra complexity. After vinification the young wine is kept in French oak barrels for 8 months before it’s deemed ready for bottling. Seductive sweet fruit immediately bursts out of the glass, including luscious cassis, black cherry, and ripe dark plum. There are deeper undertones of forest floor, cedarwood, and gentle spice from the oak. On the palate there’s a robust full body, firm tannins, and a luscious core of dark fruit which lingers on the tongue. Pair with hearty red meat dishes or cellar for a few more years to round out the powerful tannins.