Orin Swift 8 Years in the Desert Zinfandel
8 Years in the Desert is Orin Swift Cellars' homage to California. Anchored by a distinctly Californian grape varietal, Zinfandel, they have been able to source fruit from across the state and craft a wine that shows off their style. As a result of picking later than most, the winemakers have a higher risk of "stuck fermentations" specifically with Zinfandel; though they have minimized those risks.
Bright violet in the glass, the 2020 8 Years in the Desert is the epitome of the Orin Swift Cellars style. 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. 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.
Blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, and Petite Sirah aged 8 months in French Oak. 15.8% Alcohol by volume.
The history of Orin Swift Cellars dates back to 1995 when on a lark, David Swift Phinney took a friend up on an offer and went to Florence, Italy to spend a semester “studying”. During that time, he was introduced to wine, how it was made, and got hooked. A few more years of university led to graduation and eventually a job at Robert Mondavi Winery in 1997 as a temporary harvest worker. Deciding that if he was going to work this hard, it would eventually have to be for himself, he founded Orin Swift Cellars in 1998; Orin is his father’s middle name and Swift is his mother’s maiden name. With two tons of zinfandel and not much else, he spent the next decade making wine for others as well as himself and grew the brand to what it is today.
Made in St. Helena, California.
This product is only available for local pickup to comply with Virginia's liquor laws. We cannot ship this item. The product must be consumed off premises, and cannot be opened while on the Museum's property.
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