Tag Archives: $54

Orin Swift Machete 2016, California

12 Monday Jul 2021

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I have really taken a liking to Petite Sirah lately and Orin Swift’s Machete in particular. I tried the 2017 recently, delicious, heady stuff. Read about it in my regular blog style, this one gets the notes from my wine class. At $54 it’s not a cheap ride, but it will rock your world and gets 93 points from me, making it a 5 star wine. Salut….

Orin Swift Machete 2016 Petite Sirah, California 15.7% ABV

  • Appearance- Deep purple with thick legs.
  • Nose- pronounced aromas of blueberry, blackberry, black cherry, black plum, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla.  Youthful.
  • Palate- dry, medium (+) acidity, medium tannin, high alcohol, full body, pronounced flavors of blueberry, black cherry, blackberry, black plum, clove.  Medium finish.
  • Conclusion- very good quality, can drink now but has potential for aging.

Wowsa, look at that alcohol- 15.7% in a table wine!  I had a hard time on the nose, the whiff of heat was overpowering.  I made it through though.  Full bodied as one would expect with such high numbers and extraction to within an inch of the grape’s life.  Delicious stuff that is the second vintage I have tried of this iconic brand’s Petite Sirah with pretty much consistent results.

Orin Swift Machete 2017, California

22 Saturday May 2021

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Wow- is this wine extracted and opaque. It’s almost black in the glass and I’m getting wafts of fruit flavors a foot away. The nose is rich blackberry, plum torte, charcoal, cedar plank, plum jam and more. Superb. On the palate those rich fruit flavors all meld together beautifully. Ripe, integrated tannins just coat my gums and I’m getting black tea notes as a result. The acidity is en pointe, juicy but not overdone. The mouthfeel of this fruit bomb is fantastic. If you’re a fan of heady Napa Cabs (which I am), this one is right up your alley. The mid palate pays homage to the tannins, letting them take over the palate. The finish is long, silky and rich with the concentrated fruit flavors, tannins and acidity. I’m digging this wine folks, a lot, like 93 points worth. Yummy stuff for a big night out cause it runs 54 bones, but gets 5 stars from me. Drink till 2030 with hearty steaks, heavy duty pasta or a varied charcuterie tray. Mainly Petite Sirah (which is me new fave), with some Grenache and Syrah to boot. Word of caution- the 15.2% ABV will sneak up on you in no time. I never caught on until I had a few glasses. Salut….

Pomar Junction The Crossing GSM 2013, Paso Robles, USA

30 Wednesday May 2018

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Lighter in the glass than I was expecting but the nose- wow.  Black berries, spice box, vanilla.  On the palate there’s tons of spiciness, cedar box, black fruits, cinnamon. The bite from the acidity is pinpoint, tannins are very lithe. On the finish I get maduro, black cherry and more vanilla from the wood dressing this wine has been graced with.  Very tasty Grenache, Syrah, Mourverdre blend.  92 points and 4 stars for this $54 wine.  Drink now till 2024.  Salut….

Caves Saint-Pierre Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Mitre 2010

21 Saturday Sep 2013

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A basic CDP, with straightforward fruit of Black Cherry, Earth, Green Pepper and Stones.  A razor minerality and some fine grained tannins bring structure.  A decent level of acidity balance the package, yet I am not feeling the love.  I tried the bottle straight from the opening, and then poured it through the Vinturi for the second glass.  It came across smoother and more fruity, which speaks well for aerating this bottle.  It could probably use 2-3 years in the cellar and should last until 2018.  I opened it for a Roast Beef dinner, figuring it would have the right tannins to sort out the beef and horseradish.  I was right.  89 points, and 3 stars for this $54 offering of 60% Grenache, balanced with Mourvedre, Cinsault and Syrah.  Salut…

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