93pts Wine Enthusiast

A luscious, dark-berry center is surrounded by plush tannins and a full body in this broad, rather tannic but soothing wine. Dark chocolate, cocoa and baked blueberries give a lot of mouthfilling satisfaction as you sip.

90pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Traditionally, Palermo included wine that didn't make it into Mercury Head or Papillon, but winemaker Dave Phinney now buys some fruit specifically targeted for this bottling. The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Palermo—a blend of estate-grown and purchased fruit aged 11 months in 34% new oak—includes small proportions of Merlot and Malbec. Offering up cherries, cassis and slightly earthy scents, plus hints of cinnamon and nutmeg on the nose, it's full-bodied and nicely balanced, with its firmness matched by softness. It's just a nice drink overall. Best After 2023

Winemaker Notes

Poured as a dark garnet, the wine opens with primary aromas of ripe cassis and blackberry. Supporting hints of dark chocolate, toasted oak and cedar support the typical Orin Swift Cabernet Sauvignon nose. The entry is flooding with notes of dark fruits and a mid-palate bolstered with redcurrant, bay leaf and a reemergence of cassis. The wine closes with well-developed tannins and a striking minerality despite the supple and soft finish.

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