2017 Orin Swift Slander Pinot Noir, 2-bottle Lot

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.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.