Orin Swift Papillion Bordeaux Red Blend Napa Valley 2018 Grape Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Malbec Merlot Petit Verdot Country USA ABV 15.5 % Case size 6 / 75cl Aged 16 months in French oak, 52% new The dark crimson core and brick rim set the stage, as aromas of currant, blackberry, blue fruits, anise, lavender, and brioche float from the glass. Enveloping and coating become mixed berry pie, sarsaparilla, cola, and blackcurrant with structured heft through the mid-palate. Chalky tannins a la black tea or baking chocolate round out the wine with a pleasing finish of sweet oak.The Orin Swift story starts in 1995 when, on a whim, David Swift Phinney understandably took a friend up on an offer to spend a term studying in Florence.During that time, he was introduced to wine, how it was made, and got hooked.After graduating in 1997 he took a temporary harvest job at the iconic Robert Mondavi winery. Harvest is not an easy job and David quickly decided that if he was going to work this hard it should eventually be for himself and in 1998 he founded Orin Swift Cellars with two tons of zinfandel, a disruptive approach to labels and marketing and not much else. Today Orin Swift is owned by California icons E&J Gallo, but David remains at the helm, disregarding the traditions of terroir and site-specific bottlings in favour of simply procuring the best grapes to make the most drinkable blends and putting them in bottles that really stand out.