Orin Swift Cellars Palermo 2022

Orin Swift Cellars Palermo brings an unashamedly powerful expression of the Napa Valley region to your glass, wherever that may be. 

Deep garnet-purple colour. A seamless assortment of classic Napa Valley Cabernet aromas: cassis, black cherries, chaparral and a touch of intriguing butterscotch. The tastefully expressive palate is unashamedly powerful with ripe raspberry, crème caramel, bay leaf, red and black currants. Carrying its own weight through the finish, the wine’s prominent tannins will soften over time.

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The fruit comes from both valley floor and the mountain ranges in Napa Valley, California. Ageing for 12 months in French Oak, 38% new.

Orion Swift's goal, year in and year out, is to produce wines of resounding quality consistently. 2017 was a tough year that challenged their ability to do so. While both heat spikes and devastating fires will be most known for the vintage, they were able to produce a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that is still representative of the region.

Top Tip: Decant an hour before serving.

About the Label

The creative (if slightly disturbing gothic and grunge) style of Orin Swift labels encourage you to rethink wine through a different lens. Each label is an evocative expression of art that leaves a heart-skipping impression.

David Phinney’s most haunting label. This label features a chilling photo of a mummified priest wearing a red cape and a black hat known as a ‘biretta’. The photo was taken by National Geographic photographer Vincent J. Musi in a 16th century catacomb in Palermo, Sicily, after which the wine is named. The photo's sense of power, reverence and dignity is reflective of how Orin Swift's winemaker crafts Cabernet. 

“There is such a sense of power and dignity to the image, which is how we think about great Cabernet. We just really respect it. It think it makes a statement about the wine,” says Phinney. Phinney describes the wine as his "most approachable Cabernet” and “a true representation of Napa”.