Orin Swift Abstract 2019
Immediate aromatics escape the glass: blueberry, Mirabelle plum, ripe raspberry, Bing cherry and enchanting musk. On entry, the wine is seamless and enveloping with notes of Black plum, sweet cassis and blueberry compote on the mid-palate. Textured and long on the finish, the wine closes with a hint of dried lavender and dark chocolate.
Varietal: Grenache, Petite Sirah and Syrah
Orin Swift Papillon 2019
A true five-varietal Bordeaux blend is hard to find anywhere in the world. But lucky for us, we’ve been able to source all five across the Napa Valley to produce one of our flagship wines. From the mountain tops of Atlas Peak to the gravelly soils of St. Helena and everywhere in between, the resulting blend elicits a dialectic found on the label: a butterfly may be delicate and elegant while the hands of a farmer are anything but. Similarly, the sensory introduction to Papillon is overwhelming and breathtaking; yet, as the wine opens, it transforms slowly into a wine of elegance and opulence in one. It is truly the epitome of our style of winemaking.
The 2019 Papillon pours a neon crimson and settles into a dark core with a ruby rim—crimson through and through.
Nose: Aromatically, the wine opens with powerful notes of blackberry, kirsch, coastal sagebrush and evolves into ripe pluot and roasted fig.
Palate: An enveloping entry of grandeur, the palate reveals a more elegant side of the wine: black plum, blackcurrant, toffee and trace hints of sweet red vermouth, muddled mint, and orange peel. Polished, balanced and with an imagined sweetness, the wine closes with ripe but firm tannin and a mild drying character, capable of converting even the staunchest of Bordeaux-philes.
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Merlot
Aged 13 months in French oak, 47% new
"Fruit fans will dig this for its open and inviting display of açaí berry, plum sauce and warmed cassis aromas and flavors, all laced with melted black licorice and given a light mocha cloak on the broad, polished finish. A subtle savory tobacco element in the background adds a counterpoint, but this is aimed squarely at the hedonist crowd. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc." - 93 points, James Molesworth, Senior Editor and Special Project Director at Wine Spectator
Orin Swift Mercury Head 2019
Mercury Head is our physical manifestation of history, land and art in a bottle of wine. Each dime has lived through at least 76 years of history while winemaking in the Napa Valley has existed longer. This wine brings those together in a unique way—a synthesis à la Orin Swift. We are extremely fortunate and lucky to have access to vineyards of excellent pedigree. This vintage of Mercury Head is comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon from the Stagecoach, Emerson Day and Morisoli vineyards with a small percentage from the historic Monte Rosso vineyard overlooking Sonoma Valley that was too good to leave out. Together, they combine to create a wine of intensity, nuance and complexity, worthy of our flagship wine
The upfront aromatics of the wine transports one to the Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards listed above during harvest; notes of ripe and crunchy blackcurrant means it’s almost time to pick.
Nose: The nose of the 2019 Mercury Head has a concentrated dose of that aroma along with some redcurrant, fresh thyme, sandalwood and garrigue.
Palate: Profound, yet classic, the palate expresses blackberry and raspberry preserves, a touch of rhubarb and toffee with some black tea and licorice accents. A final hint of chocolate covered espresso bean and ultra-soft tannins frames the extensive finish.
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot
Aged for 13 months in French Oak, 43% new
"Ripe, juicy and solidly built, with plum compote and blackberry paste flavors laced with licorice root, tar and sassafras notes. There's a pretty flash of violet through the finish, as the fruit pumps through. Best from 2023 through 2034. 7,022 cases made." - 93 points, James Molesworth, Senior Editor and Special Projects Director at Wine Spectator
Louis M. Martini Lot 1 2018
Winemaker Notes
Our concept of small-lot winemaking dates back to 1948 when Louis M. Martini began ranking his most exceptional Cabernet lots to use for a special selection blend. We honor this attention to detail with every vintage we make, fermenting Lot No. 1 in small open-top tanks, which allow for a high level of precision when extracting color and flavor. All lots were alternately punched down and pumped over up to four times daily to build the desired foundation for the wine’s mouthfeel. Our barrel program for Lot No. 1 is also unique, with the primary component being 36-month air dried French oak. This longer drying time encourages rich tannin structure throughout the duration of the wine’s 19 months in barrel (83% new).
Nose: The 2018 Lot No. 1 vintage showcases enticing aromas of wild blackberries, cocoa and toasted oak supported by notes of brown spice and humidor.
Palate: The rich, plush palate boasts flavors of shaved chocolate and reduced blackberry compote with hints of cinnamon. The long finish reveals classic oak character and plush tannins.
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
"This has a frankly toasty note overlaying rich cassis, plum and boysenberry compote flavors, while licorice root, loam and roasted mesquite notes fill in on the finish. Not shy in the muscular approach. For fans of the style. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 2,149 cases made." - 94 points, James Molesworth, Senior Editor and Special Projects Director at Wine Spectator
"This is a firm and structured red with blackberry, conifer and chocolate character. It’s full-bodied, yet tight and poised. Lots of dark fruit at the end and chewy tannins. 61% mountain fruit and 39% valley-floor. Long finish. Dry at the end. A little hot from the high alcohol. Retro-styled. Try in 2023." - 91 points, James Suckling