2010 Orin Swift The Prisoner

Napa Valley, California

Orin Swift The Prisoner is a must-try red wine gem from a gifted and fast-rising winemaker, Dave Phinney. Considering that Wine Spectator has selected The Prisoner to join the ranks of the magazine's Top 100 Wines of the Year not just in one recent year (#47 in 2009 for the 2007 vintage) but 3 times in the past 6 years, it is nearly inconceivable that Dave Phinney began his winemaking career with 2 tons of purchased Zinfandel grapes just a year out of college in 1998! He recently purchased 48 acres of land in the hills above Oakville and hopes one day to build a winery there. We can all look forward to enjoying the evolution of Orin Swift Cellars! The 2008 release received a 90-point rating from Robert Parker and 92 points from Wine Spectator. This newly released 2010 vintage has not yet been reviewed, but would anyone ever doubt that it's another wine gem?

Orin Swift The Prisoner 2010 is 44% Zinfandel blended with 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Syrah, 9% Petite Sirah, 2% Charbono and 1% Grenache. The wine is dark red, almost garnet hue with bright red on the rim. Ripe cherry and cedar on the nose with hints of dried rose petal and sweet oak. Lovely entry that leads into a fat and savory mid palate. Ripe fig and black currant dominate the finish with a breadth of soft, well integrated tannins. It was aged in both new and seasoned French and American oak. The wine is soft and round with weight, length and structure and good acidity to soften its big fruit. On the finish it is long and lingering with soft, velvety tannins.

Enjoy Orin Swift The Prisoner with roast pork, grilled chicken, BBQ ribs, grilled vegetables and cheeses.