2016 Orin Swift 8 Years in the Desert

Orin Swift Cellars is in St. Helena, Napa Valley. It was founded in 1998 by David Swift Phinney, who named it after his father, Orin, and his mother, whose maiden name was Swift. Phinney at first purchased grapes and did custom crushes, but he now owns about 400 acres of vineyards in northern California and more in the South of France. He makes a number of blends, notably The Prisoner, a Zinfandel-based wine that often earns high ratings from reviewers. With unusual labels and names, his blends range from traditional Bordeaux blends to white wine such as the 2010 Mannequin, made of Chardonnay, Viognier, Semillon, Muscat and Marsanne.

Dave Phinney founded Orin Swift by producing Zinfandels. But after many Zinfandel vintages he decided in 2009 to take a break from Zinfandel and focus on other wines. With the 2016 vintage, however, Phinney once again released the varietal that got him in the business by offering 8 Years in the Desert, a Zinfandel-based blend produced in very limited quantities in an eight-bottle edition.

Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah and a small percentage of other red varietals.