Orin Swift Slander

What a magnificent Pinot Noir from California, and it's no wonder Orin Swift's wines are so highly regarded. According to the winemaker, the Pinot Noir vineyard must be carefully monitored, as the grapes are susceptible to mold and other undesirable diseases. Therefore, purity of practice is paramount, and everything from vineyard to cellar is personally controlled by the winemaker. 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, thanks to the constant fresh breeze from the ocean and the elevated vineyards. The altitude allows for good nighttime cooling, allowing the Pinot Noir grape to thrive.

Wood storage for the Orin Swift Slander

At perfect ripeness, the Pinot Noir grapes are harvested entirely by hand in the early morning. Each bunch is visually inspected and placed in small crates. The winemaker at Orin Swift starts the harvest so early to preserve the freshness of the grapes and minimize damage during harvesting. Once all the grapes are gathered, they are gently pressed, and the beautifully ripe juice is then aged for ten months in oak barrels. For this red Orin Swift Slander, 42% new oak barrels are used, making it powerful and very full-bodied. It is a beautiful wine and, unfortunately, quite rare.

Full and very powerful this Orin Swift Slander

The fun can begin as we open the bottle. As this remarkable bottle opens, we immediately smell a beautiful wine. It offers notes of ripe cranberries, marmalade, white pepper, and fresh brioche bread. As we pour, these aromas are enhanced, with hints of sage and Mediterranean herbs. On the palate, the wine is very full-bodied and powerful without losing the beautiful characteristics of the Pinot Noir grape. Beautiful flavors of ripe cherries, rose petals, vanilla, and other red fruits complete the experience. The finish of the Slander is long and robust, with abundant soft tannins that make everything very exciting.