Palermo Cabernet Sauvignon from Orin Swift is, contrary to what the name suggests, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. This wonderfully rich wine has undergone aging for 12 months in French oak, of which 38 percent was new oak. A delicious wine with a cellaring potential of 10 to 12 years. Over these years, the tannins will soften and the flavor will continue to mature further.
The wine is composed of Grenache grapes and two varieties of Syrah and Petite Sirah, all of which are grown in Saint Helena. Here, Orin Swift has a few small vineyards, which unfortunately makes the wine available in limited quantities. The climate and soil structure are of unparalleled quality, giving the grapes immense power.
For this white wine, they use only Chardonnay clusters sourced from very old vines. These old vines produce few clusters, but they are of invaluable quality. In a climate where there is plenty of room for the sun but also for cooling, the growing season is long. The name Mannequin was given to this wine for its elegance, power, and versatility. But also to emphasize the wood aging of this wine, because after pressing, this white wine matures for no less than eight months in oak barrels.
What a magnificent Pinot Noir from California, and it is no wonder that the wines from Orin Swift are so highly regarded. The grapes for this red wine come from three vineyards: Ranch, Sleepy Hollow, and MacMurray. The climate here is perfect for growing red Pinot Noir, as there is always a fresh breeze from the ocean and the vineyards are situated at a higher altitude. Because of the elevation, it cools down well at night, which is exactly what the Pinot Noir grape loves.
The Orin Swift Blank Stare 2022 is a Sauvignon Blanc that consciously deviates from the classic, crisp style. Dave Phinney, founder of Orin Swift Cellars, is known for his bold and unconventional approach. What makes Blank Stare different from a typical Sauvignon Blanc? This wine undergoes oak aging and partial malolactic fermentation, which provides more roundness and structure than you are used to from this grape. This wine is made from Sauvignon Blanc with a touch of Sémillon, sourced from California.
Machete Orin Swift is an extraordinary, non-everyday blend of Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Grenache. This perhaps somewhat strange blend was allowed to age in French oak barrels for 12 months. This Machete is a very full-bodied and powerful wine. This power can even be slightly traced back to its almost ink-black color.
