Orin Swift Cellars

8 Years in the Desert Zinfandel Blend

9.2418 ratings
9.126 pro ratings
California, USA
Zinfandel Blend
Top Notes For
John Berghoff

Glws

Feb 18th, 2026
Sipping Fine Wine

From Dave Phinney offering, a blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah & Syrah, deep Ruby, purple hues, with aromas of berry fruits with sweet spice and forest floor notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry and black cherry with oak, herb and cacao notes. Well integrated on fine tannins, long finish ending with earthy oak character. Pricey but Very nice!

From Dave Phinney offering, a blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah & Syrah, deep Ruby, purple hues, with aromas of berry fruits with sweet spice and forest floor notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry and black cherry with oak, herb and cacao notes. Well integrated on fine tannins, long finish ending with earthy oak character. Pricey but Very nice!

Jan 6th, 2024
Sipping Fine Wine

From Dave Phinney offering, a blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah & Syrah with aromas of berry fruits with sweet spice and forest floor notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry and black cherry with oak, herb and cacao tones. Well integrated on fine tannins, long finish ending with earthy oak character. Very nice!

From Dave Phinney offering, a blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah & Syrah with aromas of berry fruits with sweet spice and forest floor notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry and black cherry with oak, herb and cacao tones. Well integrated on fine tannins, long finish ending with earthy oak character. Very nice!

Jul 2nd, 2023
Sipping Fine Wine

From Dave Phinney offering, a blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah & Syrah with aromas of berry fruits with sweet spice and forest floor notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry and black cherry with oak, herb and cacao tones. Well integrated on fine tannins, long finish ending with earthy oak character. Pricey, but Very nice!

From Dave Phinney offering, a blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah & Syrah with aromas of berry fruits with sweet spice and forest floor notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry and black cherry with oak, herb and cacao tones. Well integrated on fine tannins, long finish ending with earthy oak character. Pricey, but Very nice!

Mar 15th, 2023
"Odedi"

This is a big and bold Zinfandel based red Blend from California.

Showing black fruits with tobacco, chocolates, coffee, cola, vanilla, cedar, licorice and mocha.

Full bodied with medium acidity.

Jammy and creamy. Smooth and easy drinking.

Enjoyable by itself, and would pair nicely with a burger.

Would be interesting to try it in a few years, as it might calm down a bit. Might be too sweet for some.

A blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Syrah.

15.7% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

This is a big and bold Zinfandel based red Blend from California.

Showing black fruits with tobacco, chocolates, coffee, cola, vanilla, cedar, licorice and mocha.

Full bodied with medium acidity.

Jammy and creamy. Smooth and easy drinking.

Enjoyable by itself, and would pair nicely with a burger.

Would be interesting to try it in a few years, as it might calm down a bit. Might be too sweet for some.

A blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Syrah.

15.7% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

Jul 18th, 2021
Rob
9.2

Full body, fruit forward 👌🏼

Full body, fruit forward 👌🏼

Jul 8th, 2021
Sipping Fine Wine

Another Dave Phinney offering, a blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah & Syrah with aromas of dusty berry fruits with sweet pepper spice notes. On the palate rich blackberry fruit with oak, herb and currant tones. Well integrated on fine tannins, lingering ending with earthy mineral character. Very nice!

Another Dave Phinney offering, a blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah & Syrah with aromas of dusty berry fruits with sweet pepper spice notes. On the palate rich blackberry fruit with oak, herb and currant tones. Well integrated on fine tannins, lingering ending with earthy mineral character. Very nice!

Jan 1st, 2019
Jay Kline

This is Dave Phinney’s first Zinfandel-based wine since the noncompete associated with his sale of the Prisoner expired; hence the name. Popped and poured. Bold red and dark fruits with a significant amount of anise and black pepper. Medium tannins and a decent amount of acid to give the large amount of fruit some lift. A touch hot...the alcohol showing more as time went on. A fun wine to try and better than I expected but I can already feel palate fatigue setting in. Thanks Neal!

This is Dave Phinney’s first Zinfandel-based wine since the noncompete associated with his sale of the Prisoner expired; hence the name. Popped and poured. Bold red and dark fruits with a significant amount of anise and black pepper. Medium tannins and a decent amount of acid to give the large amount of fruit some lift. A touch hot...the alcohol showing more as time went on. A fun wine to try and better than I expected but I can already feel palate fatigue setting in. Thanks Neal!

3 people found it helpfulOct 4th, 2018
Mike R
9.5

It so damn good

Better than Turley but in same category

Big bold beautiful zin - delicious

All smiles tonight

It so damn good

Better than Turley but in same category

Big bold beautiful zin - delicious

All smiles tonight

3 people found it helpfulOct 3rd, 2018
Victoria Clare

Beautiful wine that tastes even better once it’s had air and is paired with a steak!

Beautiful wine that tastes even better once it’s had air and is paired with a steak!

2 people found it helpfulFeb 3rd, 2020