Barefoot Merlot
Orin Swift Machete 2018
A gothic mauve with a vivid neon rim, the wine appears almost black in the glass. Notes of wet stone, black plum and crushed gravel reverberate from within. Bold upfront, the palate is all-enveloping with mixed berry crepe, black licorice and a touch of char. Layered and omnipotent in weight, the wine finishes with ripe Petite Sirah tannins, providing a pleasant closing texture.
Varietal: Petite Syrah, Syrah and Grenache
*Customers are unable to choose the bottle label of Orin Swift Machete.
l’usine Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2017
WINEMARKER’S NOTES
The blend exhibits darker aromatics of blueberry, raspberry, black pepper, vanilla crème and a slight funk. The entry is refined yet immense with flavors of redcurrant, cherry tart and traces of spice that follow through to the mid-palate. The backbone of acidity and a lengthy finish sets up the wine to age for many years.
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Alcohol: 14.1%
Maturation: Aged 10 months in French Oak, 60% New
l’usine Annapolis Vineyard Sonoma County 2017
WINEMARKER’S NOTES
Nuance and Intrigue characterize the wine, starting with a dark crimson and a ruby rim but manifested by the aromatics: white pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, pine resin and crème de menthe. An entry dominated by a bright acidity, the mid-palate explores characteristics of rhubarb, savory and a hint of wild strawberry with a long finish indicative of graceful aging.
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Alcohol : 15.9%
Maturation: Aged 9 months in French Oak, 42% New
l’usine Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2017
WINEMARKER’S NOTES
To the eye, a lucid crimson sits in the glass. Aromatics of ripe cranberries, forest floor, morels and a touch of bramble engage. The wine slips onto the palate with a silky, enveloping balanced and riveting, the wine closes with concentration and finesse – an exemplar of drinkability.
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Alcohol: 15.4%
Maturation: Aged 9 months in French Oak, 78% New
Barefoot Chardonnay
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 2018
A neon indigo pours into the glass and sits with a dark garnet core and a lucid cardinal tint. A boisterous nose escapes the glass with aromatics of ripe boysenberry, kirsch, mixed dark berry pie, California Coastal sagebrush and chaparral. Delectable and plush on the palate, notes of blackberry and sweet black licorice culminate in a finish of dusty tannins and ripe black plum. Aged 15 months in French oak, 52% new
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petite Sirah
Jayson by Pahlmeyer Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Jayson Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested at night to deliver naturally cooled grapes to the winery. Whole clusters were gravity-fed onto a vibrating table for hand sorting. Selected clusters were gently de-stemmed, delivering whole berries for a final hand sorting. After several days of cold maceration, the fruit entered primary fermentation for two to three weeks, then gently pressed in our stainless-steel basket. The wine finished malolactic fermentation in barrel, then aged for 15 months in 88% new French oak barrels.
Effusive aromas of blackberry pie, cassis, and leather greet the nose, foretelling the full, expressive palate. Intense notes of blackberry and plum interweave with flecks of pink peppercorn and plowed earth, amplified by a lift of fresh acidity. The tannins are firm yet seamlessly melded with the rich fruit, driving to a plush, juicy finish.
"A creamy, full-bodied red with aromas of stewed blackberries, blackcurrants, dark chocolate, black tea and sweet tobacco. Ripe, polished tannins support a velvety core of dark fruit and chocolate. Delicious finish. Tight and so together. Drink or hold." - 95 points, James Suckling
Barefoot Pinot Noir
Orin Swift Blank Stare 2019
A glowing pale straw with a striking touch of chartreuse sits in the glass. Aromatically, the wine pops with lime zest, gooseberries, ripe passionfruit, fresh cut grass and lemon bars. On the entry, the acidity acts like a belt, constraining the voluptuousness; similar taste profiles to the nose plus crispy green apples and the faintest hint of fresh sage abound. The finish is reminiscent of ripe kiwi and limoncello, teetering on a beam of lingering acidity.
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
"Expressive and fragrant, with honeysuckle, candied ginger, tangerine and lemon curd flavors on a full, fleshy frame. A fresh thread of acidity keeps the flavors bright and focused, with accents of matcha green tea, dried white flowers and spice lingering on the finish. Drink now. 3,000 cases made." - 92 points, MaryAnn Worobiec, Senior Editor and Napa Bureau Chief at Wine Spectator
Orin Swift Abstract 2020
At Orin Swift, we have been fortunate to have access to a wide range of vineyards across California. Luckily, this diversity of sources meant that the horrific fires of 2020 spared most of our fruit. Carefully tasted, tested and tasted again, we made sure any lots included in our 2020 wines were free of smoke taint. Abstract being one of our largest blends, we were diligent with the process of evaluating the wines; a patchwork of individual lots that retain some of their character but meld seamlessly together—like the collage—is why this wine is always a team favorite.
Nose: The 2020 Abstract pours a neon purple splash and an opaque maroon core with dark aromatics upfront. Black plum, boysenberry and hints of bing cherry and lavender invite a taste.
Palate: On the palate, the aromatics turn into the sense of taste along with a touch of dark chocolate and reduced blackberry. Supple drying tannins and a slight chalky texture close the wine with a calming finish.
Varietal: Grenache, Petite Sirah and Syrah
"This blend offers a potpourri of hearty aromas and flavors, with black raspberry and cherry flavors accented by smoked pepper, orange peel and black olive notes that finish with medium-grained tannins. Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Tempranillo and Malbec." - 91 points, Tim Fish, Senior Editor at Wine Spectator