Orin Swift
Bloodlines 2024
California Cabernet Sauvignon
St. Helena, California
BOLD WINE STYLE
The deep core pulls one into the glass of the 2024 Bloodlines, complemented by a neon fuchsia rim. Aromatically, the wine exudes notes of pluot, boysenberry, blackcurrant, black pepper and leather. As the wine opens, further complexity is revealed highlighted by a rocky perfume. Taut and balanced with acidity, the palate fills with rich notes of blackberry, lavender and a lengthy close of drying tannins.
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol: 14.9% alcohol / volume
WINEMAKING NOTES:
Bloodlines is a story of both history and obsession. Dave Phinney’s connection to the wine industry runs deeper than he initially knew. After uncovering his extended family history, he discovered that winemaking had been on both sides of his family for generations. The winemaking “bloodline” had been there all along, perhaps silently guiding and inspiring the obsession. At Orin Swift, the team pushes themselves harder each day. Sourcing is intentional, blending is precise and labels are perfected. Case in point – the red Orin Swift rings are more than meets the eye – they represent the crossing of the bloodlines “Orin” and “Swift”, to create the brand name, and Dave drew them by hand over 300 times before they were right. The devil is in the details and simply put, they are obsessed.
Orin Swift
Machete 2022
California Red Wine
St. Helena, California
BOLD WINE STYLE
The Machete pours a brow-raising opaque violet ink with a vivid, neon purple rim. Immediately, the wine’s aromatics entrench with notes of plum preserves, wild blackberry, slate and crushed gravel—intense and brazen. The palate continues the invasion with loads of texture whilst the minerality keeps things in check—tastes of slow roasted Moroccan lamb, marbled leather, dark chocolate and river rocks with grippy tannins accentuating the close.
Varietals: Petite Sirah, Syrah, Grenache
Alcohol: 15.1% alcohol / volume
Maturation: Aged for 12 months in French Oak, 35% new
Critical Acclaim: 95 pts Decanter 2026; 94 pts Decanter 2025
WINEMAKING NOTES:
To cut one’s way through a thicket, the machete is the tool of choice—and you better hope its sharp. At Orin Swift, focus and determination is their sharpening stone and it allows them to continue crafting consistent wines year after year. Machete showcases one of their favorite varietals , Petite Sirah, in its unapologetic form—the one that stains your teeth, the glass and everything in its path. But in that form, the complexity is unrivaled with its viciousness on full display. Sourced from premier vineyards across California, some include Summerwind in the Yorkville Highlands, Dark Horse in Mendocino and the Stagecoach Vineyard on Atlas Peak in the Napa Valley.
ABOUT THE WINERY:
Established in 1998 by Dave Phinney, the name comes from Dave’s father’s middle name, Orin, and his mother’s maiden name, Swift. Though Dave grew up in California, it was in Italy where his obsession began. In 1995, what was originally billed as a semester studying abroad, turned into an immersion on all aspects of wine. By 1997, Dave was all in and landed his winery job at Robert Mondavi as a temporary harvest worker. He learned a lot, including that he wanted to make his own wine. The next year, with two tons of Zinfandel and not much else, Orin Swift Cellars was born. Learn more here.
Photos and information © Orin Swift – All Rights Reserved.
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Orin Swift
Orin Swift
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