Orin Swift Abstract Red Blend 2021 – 750ml Johnson Brothers

92pts Decanter

Black cherry and kirsch, with pronounced oak, vanilla and chocolate notes. Broad and mouthfilling, with a deep concentration of blueberry fruit, black currant, vanilla and mocha. Grippy, angular tannins resolve with good acidity and a lengthy finish of earth, chocolate and cedar. This label was first introduced after the Prisoner sale, having debuted in 2009. ‘With over 75,000 square miles of California represented in this blend, it is a true amalgamation,’ says Dave Phinney. The blend for Abstract begins with Grenache, and then they weave in Syrah and Petite Sirah, but the combination and blend differ from year to year.

90pts Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

Perhaps it is inevitable in a blended red that includes Petite Sirah, Grenache and Syrah, but the nose of the 2021 Proprietary Red Abstract is a bit generic, with decent fruit represented by a mix of berries and cherries. Sourced from areas as diverse as Sonoma, Napa and Lodi, it’s full-bodied and softly tannic, with an herbal nuance and a hint of dark chocolate on the gently dusty finish. Best After 2023

Winemaker Notes

An opaque purple core with a glowing mauve rim, the 2021 Abstract brings forth opening aromas of muddled blue and blackberries with a frame of dark chocolate brownie and seasoned leather. The wine enters with class, being soft and lush, with notes of ripe plum, boysenberry and Santa Maria tri-tip. Grippy, chewy tannins, the wine closes with pleasing sarsaparilla and blackcurrant.

Blend: Grenache, Petite Sirah, Syrah

About the Label

The label was inspired by a collage displayed in the living room of a designer in Milan. The winemaker spent years collecting the imagery and individually piecing the snips together. Nearly four years later, his original work of art was finally completed.

Winery Notes

Orin Swift Cellars, led by winemaker Dave Phinney, is a brand known as much for its creative and evocative expression of art on the front of the bottle as it is the bold, yet finessed styling within the bottle. Based out of Saint Helena, within the prized Napa Valley, Orin Swift features a portfolio of wines that appeal to a variety of senses. It all begins in the vineyard. Sourcing for the Orin Swift family takes Dave across the state of California, with special interest in the Napa Valley, Sonoma County and Santa Barbara area. He sets his sights on small lots within the most coveted vineyards while ensuring that only fruit of the highest quality makes it into the final blend. Every wine in the portfolio, from the vineyard source to the distinct artwork adorning the label, offers a unique point of view while creating a heart-skipping impression.

“There’s a soul to this business.. that soul isn’t just from the people who make wine, it’s from everyone who loves wines that make them feel something.”—Dave Phinney