2019 Orin Swift Abstract, USA, California, Wine Review

This is a "kitchen sink" blend of lots of red varietals grown in California. Garnet in color, purple at the core, bright. The nose is nice with cherries, black cherries, black raspberries, spices and chocolate. Full bodied. Light tannins. Moderate acidity. On the palate, this is big wine. Tasty but the kind of wine that doesn't demand introspection. Loads of black cherries and cherries with a bit of chocolate. Long finish with slight warmth. It drinks well on its own and will need big food such as BBQ Ribs off the grill. Drink over the next five to eight years.

Grade:

A-

Score:

Vintage:

2019

Current Price:

$35.00USD

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2018 Orin Swift Cellars 8 Years in the Desert, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage:

2018

Score:

Grade:

B+

Current Price:

$45.00USD

This is the second release of the Orin Swift project now that Dave Phinney's non-compete with Prisoner Wine Company is over. It was nice to get a chance to try this. This is a very solid wine. Purple in color.

2016 Downstream, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$200.00USD

This is a wine made by Rhone wine consultant Philippe Cambie and Saxum’s Justin Smith. It is a blend of 76% Zinfandel, 8% Syrah, 6% Mataró, 6% Petite Sirah, and 4% Tempranillo. Inky purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose has black raspberries, slight bramble, dust, black cherries and spice. On the palate, this is full bodied. Delicious. Serious tannins. Black raspberries, plums and spices over a gravelly bed. Long finish. Pop and pour, this was drinking great from the start. It's hard to say how well this well age. The label says 16.1% abv but there is no heat. Still, at t

2019 Prisoner Wine Company The Prisoner, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage:

2019

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$49.00USD

Another consistent vintage for this wine. It is one of those wines that wine snobs love to bash but wine drinkers enjoy very much. It is big and fresh and exuberant and delicious. Inky purple in color, magenta at the rim. Opaque and bright. The nose has black raspberries, black cherries, baking spices and slight bramble notes. Full bodied with a juicy texture. Medium tannins. On the palate, the black raspberries come thru along with some char and anise on the finish. Long finish that does have some warmth to it. This drinks great on its own and will work well with big foods. It s

2010 Saxum Paderewski Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage:

2010

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$150.00USD

This is a blend of 35% Zinfandel, 26% Mourvedre, 19% Tempranillo, 11% Syrah, and 9% Petite Sirah. Purple in color with some ruby hues. Opaque and dark. The nose is nice with black cherries, plums, cherries, char and spice. Full bodied. Light tannins. Good balance. On the palate, this is drinking at peak and delicious. Complex and deep. Notes of black cherries, cherries, and plums with underlying asphalt/gravel. Long finish. Drink over the next five to ten years. Great on its own, this will need big food. Ribs off the grill would be a good match.

2014 Saved, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage:

2014

Score:

Grade:

B+

A blend of Merlot, Malbec, Syrah, Zinfandel, and some other stuff too. Ruby in color, purple at the rim. The nose is nice. Cherries, dark cherries, spice, chocolate and pepper. Also some leather. On the palate, there is some varietal complexity. Not a ton of depth but width. Easy to drink. Firm tannins. Probably better drunk in the next few years to enjoy its vibrancy. It retails for under $25 and that is a fair price. This is one of those fruit forward, kitchen sink wines that are popular right now and this competes with them and beats most on price. Attractive, silk screened l

2019 Orin Swift Abstract, USA, California, Wine Review

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2018 Orin Swift Cellars 8 Years in the Desert, USA, California, Wine Review

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2014 Saved, USA, California, Wine Review