Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Orin Swift's 2022 Pinot Noir Slander is a blend of fruit from the Santa Lucia Highlands and Russian River Valley. Bold and fruit forward, it offers up scents of cherries and raspberries on the nose, then delivers a creamy, lush mouthfeel. It lacks a bit of varietal character, finishing warm and soft on the finish (no real surprise, as it's labeled at 15.4% alcohol).

Winemaker Notes

The 2022 Slander delivers a medium ruby core with a lucid rim that’s almost translucent. Aromatically, bing cherry, briar fruit and some raspberry give way to ripe strawberry and associated red fruits. Bright and enveloping on the entry, notes of fresh strawberry, watermelon, thyme and a hint of funk come through. Spicy on the finish, the wine closes with a flash of blue fruits and lift.