The wine adventure for winemaker Dave Phinney began in 1998 when he started his own winery, Orin Swift. He has come a long way, starting with 2 tons of purchased Zinfandel grapes. After great success with wines like Papillon, The Prisoner, and Abstract, Dave returned to where it all began. His first love, Zinfandel. And that resulted in 8 Years in the Desert. It is a bold red wine blend where different grape varieties meet. The wine ages for 8 months in oak barrels, after which the whole world can enjoy it.
Opening this wine was also a kind of journey through the desert. The pleasantly warm and dusty nose almost makes you suspect you are in the desert. Longing for a delicious glass of wine. Attractive in this aroma are the beautiful notes of blackberries, black figs, and hints of dark chocolate. The taste revives you after that long journey through the sand. Deliciously softening notes of blackcurrants, plums, chocolate, and leather. The tannins are present but in a polite way. The finish is phenomenally long, as if you are in an oasis in the middle of the Desert.
