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
Sunrise Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 by Concha y Toro
From Sunrise ́s selected vineyards, our wines are born. Wines that are full of life, ripe with vibrant flavors. We harvest the unique energy of these beautiful places to light up your glass.
Nose: Fresh and fruity. Notes of red fruit and soft toast.
Taste: Refreshing soft, balanced and slighty sweet.
Guillaume Gonnet Le Reveur Cotes Du Rhone Rouge 2020
Crème de cassis, cherries, a lovely note of licorice on the palate, mixed with pepper and Asian spices. “Le Reveur Rouge” is a wine that marries with a great range of food. Imagine yourself enjoying this wine with a lovely mixed plate of charcuterie and cheese, a gourmet pizza or something a little different like Peking duck pancakes.
80% Grenache, 20% Syrah
BenMarco Organico Malbec 2020
BenMarco Sin Límites expresses our efforts to discover the most interesting combinations of soil and climate, where there are no limits to exploration, to reveal wines with unique identity and personality.
With this organic wine, we fulfill our desire to return to a pesticide-free viticulture, based on using soil conditioners, working the soil and being friendlier with the environment and the people.
BenMarco Sin Límites Organic Malbec is made with organic grapes from selected plots in the I.G. (appellation) Los Chacayes, Valle de Uco, at 1,100 m.a.s.l. (3,600 ft.).
This wine is a great option to enjoy paired with roasted, grilled, or sautéed preparations, cured and cold meats, poultry, nuts.
"Lots of sour black cherries, some baked currants and dried flowers, dried herbs and stems. A full-bodied red with broad-shouldered tannins. Chewy, but still polished and refined. More structured than the 2021 vintage, but less tangy. Characterful. From organically grown grapes." 93 points, James Suckling
Orin Swift Slander 2020
In the seventh iteration of our Pinot Noir, Slander is solidifying its style and defining its own voice. As we strive to always overdeliver with each wine, Slander has proven difficult because of the fickle nature of the varietal. In many respects, we treat Pinot Noir differently than the rest of our red varietals; we pick it earlier and typically utilize the punchdown over the pumpover. Gentle handling in the vineyard and cellar allows us to capture these delicate aromatics and the enchanting palate of Pinot Noir. Sourced from across California, this 2020 vintage includes fruit from Annapolis, Del Rio, Radian and Our Lady of Guadalupe vineyards.
Pale ruby in the glass.
Nose: The wine opens with no-fuss aromatics of bright strawberry, candied cherry, crushed gravel, wet brick, white pepper and brushed violet.
Palate: Enveloping in a sophisticated, elegant manner, the palate has similar tones to the nose with some black cherry and a touch of minerality. Vibrant and energetic through the finish, the wine closes with a pleasant vein of acidity, capable of myriad pairings.
Varietals: Pinot Noir
"Plump and direct, offering mulled black cherry and plum notes, with dashes of sweet toast and licorice. Drink now. 4,140 cases made." - James Molesworth, Senior Editor and Special Projects Director at Wine Spectator
Yangarra Old Vine Grenache (MLV) 2020
Produced from the fruit of bush vines planted in 1946 high on our Estate’s deep sandy soils. Our Old Vine Grenache is complex, perfumed and elegant with a trademark tannin structure. The grapes were hand-picked and mechanically sorted.
The wine was kept on lees in 100% older French oak. No fining, just filtration.
VARIETY: 100% Grenache Noir
"This is a complex and powerful edition of this estate-grown grenache with aromas of red and dark berries, gingerbread and toasted spices, as well as wild herbs. The palate offers vibrantly fleshy style with impressive concentration of raspberry and blueberry flavors. Fresh, with structure and drive. Drink over the next eight years. Screw cap." - 94 points, James Suckling
[Bundle of 6] Grand Bateau Rouge 2020 by Chateau Beychevelle
Grand Bateau Rouge 2020 by Chateau Beychevelle
Bordeaux AOC, France
Expressive nose of ripe red fruits (plums, ripe cassis …), spices and with an elegant touch of new oak. On the palate, the wine is immediately harmonious and seductive with velvety ripe-fruit flavours wonderfully cradled by the new–oak. Medium bodied with ripe tannins and a savoury finish.
Blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. Harvest is done 100% by hand. Traditional vinification in stainless steel and temperature-controlled vats. Ageing in oak barrels for 6 to 8 months.
Yangarra Roux Beaute Roussanne 2020
The 2019 growing season was very dry, which resulted in incredibly low yields. We had a relatively warm lead up to the ripening period, which produced a very condensed and fast harvest. With Roussanne being a late ripening variety, it faired very well in a season like this, giving rise to concentration, freshness of flavor and marked natural acidity.
Hand-picked from Block 6 (1.0 ha) on March 16th, our oldest Roussanne planting which is now 15 years old. 50% is destemmed, crushed, and filled to 675L ceramic eggs, where it is fermented and remains on the skins for 193 days. The other 50% is pressed into ceramic eggs and fermented off of the skins. The final blend was 40% extended skin batch and 60% without skin contact. The final blend was 40% extended skin batch and 60% without skin contact. Bottled November 2019.
“A lovely nose of lemon curd, chamomile and crushed thyme. Medium-bodied with silky texture. Bright acidity and fresh citrus fruit wash over the palate. Taut and crisp. Refreshing tannins at the finish. Tropical fruit such as pineapple. From organically grown grapes. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink now. Screw cap.” – 94 points, Nick Stock at James Suckling
Orin Swift 8 Years In The Desert 2020
8 Years in the Desert is our homage to California. Anchored by a distinctly Californian grape varietal, Zinfandel, we have been able to source fruit from across the state and craft a wine that shows off our style. As a result of picking later than most, we have a higher risk of ‘stuck fermentations’ specifically with Zin; our methods have minimized those risks although they still remain year to year. Complemented by structured Petite Sirah and layered Syrah, this blend was carefully selected to be the fourth progression in the series.
Bright violet in the glass, the 2020 8 Years in the Desert is the epitome of our style, the reason we are even here in the first place.
Nose: As it’s being poured, the aromatics hit squarely on the nose with a perception of sweetness: pure brambly raspberry juice and blueberry preserves with a hint of white pepper and High Sierra forest floor. Yet, the perceived sweetness on the nose is just that, perceived, and doesn’t carry through to the palate.
Palate: Lush and enveloping with a beam of acidity, notes of blackberry pie, plum and kirsch flourish. Ultra-round tannins and lingering raspberry, the wine finishes in slow-motion.
Varietal: Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah
Le Volte dell’ Ornellaia 2020
Ruby red with purple reflections, Le Volte dell' Ornellaia 2020 has a vinous bouquet, releasing a complexity of aromas ranging from ripe red fruits, to Mediterranean scrub, up to delicate notes of tobacco and spices. The mouthfeel is soft and silky, but at the same time supported by a lively acidity that gives us a crisp, persistent finish.
"A blend of Merlot, Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon, the Ornellaia 2020 Le Volte dell'Ornellaia shows medium darkness and texture followed by a very primary and fruit-forward bouquet. There is a generous display of cherry, cassis and wild plum. On second nose, this easy and straightforward Tuscan blend reveals hints of spice, cardamon and polished river stone. In a hot vintage like this, the wine comes together nicely and rather effortlessly." - 90 points, Robert Parker
Rimapere Plot 101 2021
Baron Benjamin de Rothschild had the real desire to create his own Sauvignon Blanc. He purchased around 24 hectares of vineyard, ideally situated on the prestigious Rapaura Road, in the heart of the Marlborough region of New Zealand. This area’s cool climate is perfect for ripening high quality Sauvignon Blanc grapes and providing them with their typical lemon and grapefruit flavours, together with crisp acidity.
“101”, is the name of the plot selected for this rare expression of Rimapere. The vineyard meaning “Five Arrows” in Maori and simultaneously honours the Rothschild’s family coat of arms (five arrows symbolising the five sons of dynasty founder Mayer Amschel Rothschild) and traditional New Zealand culture.
- Winemaking : Gentle pneumatic pressing of the whole bunches, cold settling, fermentation in barrels and in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks up to 4 weeks (11 to 18 C).
- Soil type : Rapaura Series, Stony Soil free draining, with a small Silty top layer
- Varietals : 100% Sauvignon Blanc
- Food and wine : This wine will accompany fresh fish, seafood, white meat in sauce, various fresh cheeses and citrus fruit desserts.
Tenuta Sant’Antonio Valpolicella Nanfre 2020
A typical inhabitant of Veneto knows how to make himself known, like Gianfranco, who once owned that vineyard. Gianfranco, also known as Gianfrè, or Nanfrè to his friends.
- Colour: Light ruby red.
- Nose: Fruity with hints of cherry and red fruit, floral and spicy nuances.
- Palate: Soft and fresh, fragrant, and savoury with moderate tannins.
- Corvina 70%, Rondinella 30%