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.
This is blend of 46% Mourvedre, 31% Syrah, 18% Grenache, and 5% Counoise grapes. Tasted from a 375ml bottle. In a full bottle, these will age wonderfully. In this format, they should still age well, but this was a great chance to check in on the wine. Deep ruby in color. The nose has plums, black raspberries, black cherries, spice and char. On the palate, this has a lovely texture. Energetic. Medium tannins. Right now, the black cherries dominate but that will change as it ages. Delicious. Good finish. This should be versatile with food and go well with fowl or meat dishes and r
This is from the southern portion of the Hudson Vineyard in Carneros. 98% Syrah and 2% Viognier. At age 10, this is just starting to open up and will still improve. Inky purple in color with a thin ruby rim. The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, smoke, slight bacon fat and roasted meats. On the palate, this is medium to full bodied. Cooler climate in profile. Black cherries and black raspberries with underlying char and a bit of pepperyness. Good energy once it opens. Drinks well now but should be about five years until peak and then be good for ten to fifteen more. It wil
A blend of 57% Mourvèdre, 29% Grenache and 14% Syrah. Deeper ruby in color, purple at the core. The nose has black cherries, cherries, some floral notes, black pepper and spice. On the palate, this is medium bodied. Black cherry fruit with some black raspberries over a slight char and a slight dried lavender note. Good balance. Lots of energy. Good finish. This is drinking well now and while it might not get better it should morph a bit darker with age. It will work well with stews and casseroles. It should drink well for the next seven to ten years.
I have been beating the drum for Torrin wines for a while now. They do take a long time to open up, but this one seems a bit more open than most. Of course, we are now seven years from vintage. This is delicious. It is a blend of 76% Syrah and 24% Grenache. The label lists 16%ABV and although it is not noticeable on the palate, one does feel it. Inky purple in color. The nose is concentrated with black raspberries, iodine, roasted meats, char and spice. On the palate, this is full bodied with a lush texture. It is much wider on the palate. Lush black raspberries over char and spice.
The base Bedrock wines are wonderful values. The Zin and the Syrah are about my only case purchases these days. Wonderful wines. The 2018 Syrah is designated as California. Purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, char, slight roasted meats, just a hint of bacon fat and a bit of spice. On the palate, this has a lovely, juicy texture. Black raspberry fruit with underlying char and roasted meats. Good finish. Young though mine are not likely to see old age as I tend to drink these young while waiting on other wines. Perhaps I need to hide a bottle in the cellar. It likely w
The 2012 Saxums have been pretty open since release although they did recently (last two years) go into a slightly shut down phase. No worries, this bottle was pop and pour and drinking quite well. A blend of 73% Syrah and 27% Mourvedre Inky purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, slightly roasted meats and spice. Full bodied with a lovely big texture. Lots of black raspberry fruit on the palate with some blueberries over a bit of char and pepper. Long finish. There is a lot of alcohol here but it is not noticeable. This is delicious if not for everyone. Most
A very nice showing for this wine that is just starting to come out of its shell. Pop and let breathe for 30 minutes (not decanted), it took about another hour to open up.
Opened at a holiday party to join in the fun with a "Chanukah" wine as it is made in Israel. Israel is making some excellent wines these days and this is an outstanding Syrah. Deep purple in color with ruby swirls. The nose is very meaty with black raspberries, bacon fat, and black pepper. Medium bodied. On the palate, this is somewhere between a Rhone style Syrah and one from California. It is delicious but slightly restrained fruit. Black raspberries over roasted meat and earth. Good acidity. Long finish. This will work well with stews and roasts. It should drink well for the
This is one in a series of Tawny "Ports" made by Penfold's. It has very attractive packaging although no longer in the wood box. Made in a Solera style, the minimum blended age is 20 years old. The Solera currently contains vintages from 1960 to 2004. Mostly Shiraz, Cabernet, Grenache and Mourvedre but others as well. Iced tea in color. The nose is a bit oxidized (in a good way) with brown sugar, toffee and crème brulee. On the palate, this is viscous. Lots of caramel notes. Some heat. There is a nice depth to it. Long finish. This will work well on its own or with toffee/carame
