Orin Swift

Palermo Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

9.11266 ratings
8.964 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Cabernet Sauvignon
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy
Top Notes For
Sipping Fine Wine

Dark Ruby color with aromas of ripe berry fruits, herbs and cigar spice. On the palate flavors of cherry and blackberry with vanilla, oak, tobacco and earthy notes. Well balanced, fine tannins long finish ending with fruit, espresso and tobacco notes and sweet spice! Nice now, will age a bit.

Dark Ruby color with aromas of ripe berry fruits, herbs and cigar spice. On the palate flavors of cherry and blackberry with vanilla, oak, tobacco and earthy notes. Well balanced, fine tannins long finish ending with fruit, espresso and tobacco notes and sweet spice! Nice now, will age a bit.

Dec 1st, 2024
Ainsley

Blackcurrant, cassis and cedar notes on the palette.

Blackcurrant, cassis and cedar notes on the palette.

Jan 27th, 2021
Sipping Fine Wine

A blend of Cab Sauv, Merlot & Cab Franc, aged for 10 months in French oak, 35% new. Deep Ruby with ripe fruit aromas and round oak notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry & cherry with vanilla and cacao, starting to develop some leathery tones. Nice ripe soft tannins, that open easily. Long finish ending with fruit, mineral and vanilla character. Very nice should continue to drink well for next decade. Had this twice, very nice!

A blend of Cab Sauv, Merlot & Cab Franc, aged for 10 months in French oak, 35% new. Deep Ruby with ripe fruit aromas and round oak notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry & cherry with vanilla and cacao, starting to develop some leathery tones. Nice ripe soft tannins, that open easily. Long finish ending with fruit, mineral and vanilla character. Very nice should continue to drink well for next decade. Had this twice, very nice!

Aug 10th, 2020
Sipping Fine Wine

Had this about year or so ago, saw a bottle on wine list. A blend of Cab Sauv, Merlot & Cab Franc, aged for 10 months in French oak, 35% new. Deep Ruby with ripe fruit aromas and round oak notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry & cherry with vanilla and cacao, starting to develop some leathery tones. Nice ripe soft tannins, that open easily. Long finish ending with fruit, mineral and vanilla character. Very nice should continue to drink well for next decade.

Had this about year or so ago, saw a bottle on wine list. A blend of Cab Sauv, Merlot & Cab Franc, aged for 10 months in French oak, 35% new. Deep Ruby with ripe fruit aromas and round oak notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry & cherry with vanilla and cacao, starting to develop some leathery tones. Nice ripe soft tannins, that open easily. Long finish ending with fruit, mineral and vanilla character. Very nice should continue to drink well for next decade.

Nov 17th, 2019
Chris Harvey

2014 showing really well right now. Astringent up front with dark currant. Nice restraint on the palate. Not overly-oaked

2014 showing really well right now. Astringent up front with dark currant. Nice restraint on the palate. Not overly-oaked

Feb 16th, 2019
Brent S

Over-the-top, but I think that was essentially the point.

Over-the-top, but I think that was essentially the point.

Dec 17th, 2018
Theo Olinger

Big dark berries, but dry, high tannins. Great blend, needs a minute to open up

Big dark berries, but dry, high tannins. Great blend, needs a minute to open up

Oct 29th, 2018
Isaac Pirolo

Palermo from Orin Swift borrows its label, featuring a mummified Capuchin priest, from one of a series of images taken by National Geographic photographer Vincent J. Musi of 16th century Capuchin Catacombs. Four long limestone corridors underneath the Capuchin Church in Palermo, Sicily hold about 8000 mummies. After looking over the rest of Musi’s series, I’m surprised Dave Phinney didn’t create an entire line of wines using the images from this collection. Cabernet Sauvignon with small amounts of Malbec and Merlot, and all from Napa Valley. Packed with extracted dark fruit, cassis, vanilla, cedar, and chocolate, the Palermo eschews nuance in the name of hedonism.

Palermo from Orin Swift borrows its label, featuring a mummified Capuchin priest, from one of a series of images taken by National Geographic photographer Vincent J. Musi of 16th century Capuchin Catacombs. Four long limestone corridors underneath the Capuchin Church in Palermo, Sicily hold about 8000 mummies. After looking over the rest of Musi’s series, I’m surprised Dave Phinney didn’t create an entire line of wines using the images from this collection. Cabernet Sauvignon with small amounts of Malbec and Merlot, and all from Napa Valley. Packed with extracted dark fruit, cassis, vanilla, cedar, and chocolate, the Palermo eschews nuance in the name of hedonism.

Nov 1st, 2017
Rodney Rosser

Swill

Swill

Oct 27th, 2017
Ron R
8.7

An OK effort which lacks depth and concentration. Good aromatics of maraschino cherries and cedar. Palette is the disappointment. It's watery in comparison to Cru or Lm Martini. It lacks complexity and finishes neutral - neither sweet or tart. This is certainly a "try before you buy" scenario. Not worth the price of entry.

An OK effort which lacks depth and concentration. Good aromatics of maraschino cherries and cedar. Palette is the disappointment. It's watery in comparison to Cru or Lm Martini. It lacks complexity and finishes neutral - neither sweet or tart. This is certainly a "try before you buy" scenario. Not worth the price of entry.

Aug 27th, 2017