Eight Years In The Desert Red Blend (750Ml)

Orin Swift finds its roots in 1995, when David Swift Phinney spent a semester abroad in Florence Italy and learned of the art of wine-making. Later graduating in 1997 and becoming a temporary harvest worker for Mondavi Winery, David set out to do the hard work to have his own winery. Named after his father’s middle name and mother’s maiden name, Orin Swift cellars was founded in 1998.

The following decade he spent honing his craft and growing the brand into what it has become today. Eight Years in the Desert Red Blend 2019 is crafted with the Californian varietal Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Syrah. The fourth in the series and homage to California, their 2020 Eight Years in the Desert is aged in 51 percent new French oak for eight months. This bright violet blend has bright and bold aromas of blueberry jam, raspberry preserves leading into white pepper and earthy notes.

The palate is mouth-coating and luscious, with an intense acidity balanced with notes of plum, kirsch and blackberry preserves. Fruity hints linger into a long finish with rounded tannins. For pairing, the team at CWS suggests a juicy steak basted in roasted garlic butter or a veal chop with pan-roasted butternut squash.