Robert Munroe

9.8

This was a lucky acquisition in 2008. Two states, five cities and seven homes later, survived. I'm so happy and relieved that it kept as well as it did! A truly amazing wine that lives up to its reputation! Sublime Velvet. — 22 days ago

Vanessa

9.0

Hello spring 👋🌷 Loving the beautiful sunshine 🌞 and mild temps here in the Twin Cities today.

Just wrapped up a tasting with friends that included a study of Orin Swift wines, including this heavyweight Pinot Noir from California.

👁 It is solidly medium ruby with “demonic” tearing. @win_drinks_wine

👃 On the nose this wine has medium(+) intensity in youthful aromas. Aromas include notes of candied cherry, kirsch, raspberry preserves, cranberry, strawberry rhubarb, also violet, licorice, mushroom, forest floor, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, cedar, and dark chocolate.

👄 On the palate this wine is dry, it has medium(+) acidity, a medium(+) body, HIGH alcohol, medium tannins, and medium(+) intensity in flavors consistent with the nose. The finish lingers.

Woah, this is unexpectedly heavy and intense for a Pinot Noir, but I have to say it’s pretty darn delicious.

@orinswift , Slander, Pinot Noir, California, Vintage 2018, ABV 15.2%! — 3 years ago

with Deked1

Bob McDonald

9.3

Mid Ruby in colour with a youthful purple tinge. Aromatic red fruits with some stalky peppery notes. On the palate - one word YUM. This is all about primary fruit flavours and freshness and is totally smashable. Barb loved it. This would be a huge hit in Bistros in the capital cities over summer. An unusual blend of Pinot Noir and Syrah pioneered by the legendary Maurice O’Shea in the Hunter Valley back in the 40’s and 50’s. Now being adopted by Giant Steps and other progressive wineries like Yarra Yering. A thoroughly delicious wine. So fresh it’s impertinent!! The 2019 I believe has just been released. Tasted the last bottle 111 weeks later on 13th January 2022 with consistent notes. Has become an annual purchase for me. I find the drinking window of HH through to 2030 to be amazing. I must find the willpower to leave one for several years to note the changes. It is difficult to believe it would be any more delicious than it is now. — 4 years ago

Dawn E.

8.9

85% Chardonnay, 15%Viognier. I love wines from the Languedoc Roussillon region of France! Wine Enthusiast 92, Best Buy. Apples, melon, pineapple, limestone, and ginger. Crazy weather in the Quad Cities! 72° dropped to 52° in less than an hour. Tornadoes to the east of us. On a better note, Robin's returned early this year! — 2 months ago

Victor Hsu

8.9

In the beginning too tight, too tannic, too concentrated and just not fun to drink. After 48 hours in a half drunk bottle, we see a surprising glow up—this heavy Central Coast Syrah blossomed into a different wine! Now it’s rich but balanced, smooth but complex, a true pleasure. 2016 vintage. Had it with Eggplant Parmesan from Bay Cities Deli the first time, when it was kinda rough, and then with assertive Swiss mountain cheeses from Andrew’s Cheese Shop, when it was silky. — 4 years ago

Roman Ochocki

9.7

Another wine from Orin Swift Cellars. And another one I love. It’s bold and deep. The nose is full of ripe plum, and some other dark fruit with a sweet vanilla. And on the palate it opens itself with some chocolate and a leather. Eight Years In The Dessert needs decantation. Give this wine an hour in a glass and you won’t be disappointed. — 4 years ago

Ron from VA

9.0

This reminds me of taking a picture that’s very special in the moment and later reviewing it to find that is just a touch out of focus… You still see everything but it’s just not as clear and sharp as you would like it. There were moments when this felt like a 90 point wine and then there were moments when it dipped Dash I think the winemaking is in a very good place, perhaps this is needed just a little more time on the vine or a little less intervention in the cellar. Was completely serviceable and yummy with house burgers, but just was a little disjointed to be in the elite level of mid-Atlantic PVs. Perhaps it just lacked that complex cities and voluptuousness that’s possible with this highly aromatic and texture of wine. I would like to taste their 15, which was a really good vintage in North Carolina. This particular offering spent 28 months in peril, which is a really long time to find itself - The terroir is promising :) — 5 years ago

R. HARRIS III

9.1

Enjoyed the citrus notes — 4 months ago

Victor Hsu

8.9

I didn’t have the Zaca Mesa Inceptive Syrah; instead I am reviewing the Inceptive Red Wine, which is a red Rhône blend that Delectable apparently does not have in its database. Deep red color, nice fruit and tannin on the nose, bright acids temper the California fruitiness, goes down easy with a long and pleasant finish. Liked it enough to buy it again but didn’t consider it mind blowing. Enjoyed the 2016 vintage in a side by side comparison of homemade eggplant parm vs. Bay Cities Deli’s version. It was a draw. — 2 years ago

Ericsson

9.3

Now, I’ve had this wine a couple of dozen times in my life, all due to good fortune, and in a number of cities to top it off (blessed!). However, this is the first time I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying it at home. And I can’t think of a better bet for a bottle of wine. This is spectacular: color, nose, pallet, finish. Summed up in a sentence: “this bottle evokes passion.” — 4 years ago