ORIN SWIFT
8 YEARS IN THE DESERT
2018 ZINFANDEL BLEND
A winemaker’s life experiences are what shapes their individual winemaking style. 8 Years in the Desert Proprietary Red Wine results in the culmination of winemaker Dave Phinney’s trials and tribulations, which began back in 1998 with two tons of Zinfandel.
The experiment actually failed the first time and he sold the wine on the bulk market.
Phinney tried again in 1999 and made just 29 cases of Orin Swift Zinfandel. In 2000, the Zinfandel wasn’t great on it’s own, so he blended other varietals and produced the inaugural vintage of The Prisoner, which he continued to make for the next eight vintages before selling the brand.
The “8 Years in the Desert” name references his eight year non-compete agreement where he couldn’t produce Zinfandel Blends after the sale of The Prisoner.
Dave has always been one of the most creative and innovative winemakers when it comes to blending and packaging.
Beginning with the 2016 vintage, and produced in each sequential harvest for the next eight years, each release will have a unique “8 Years in the Desert” label.
The 2018 is styled with seductive layers of red and blue fruits, savory spices and hints of vanilla spice. The wine is a seductive blend of primarily Zinfandel heightened with Syrah, Petite Sirah and Grenache.
If you love rich, plush, hedonistic California-style red wines, you don’t want to miss this one…
ORIN SWIFT
8 YEARS IN THE DESERT
2018 ZINFANDEL BLEND
Members’ price: $45 per bottle
Winery Notes: “An opaque core with a red amethyst rim, the wine opens with ripe raspberry and blackberry, dark plum preserves and hints of black pepper and clove. An entry of heft, the palate is packed with blueberry and sweet black cherry along with touch of fresh herbs-thyme, savory and tarragon. Long on the finish, the ripe tannins, a dash of ash, and notes of black tea round out the wine.”
NOTE: All wines offered for sale on this website are sold through our affiliate and fulfillment partner, Wine Country Connection.
Customers that enjoy Orin Swift’s 8 Years in the Desert Red Wine, may also enjoy these two terrific Red Blends…
BLIND TASTING
2015 PROPRIETARY RED WINE
NAPA VALLEY
Members price: $39.99 per bottle
Tasting Notes: “Alluring aromas of ripe blackberries, red plums, sweet floral notes and a touch of vanilla spice seduce your nose. A compact core of perfectly balanced cherry preserves, muddled blueberries, wild blackberries and a touch of black pepper unfurl and expand across your palate. Opulent without being inky, the supple fruit tannins combine with a very long finish to simply make you smile. Drink right now, or you can hold until 2025.”
THE PRISONER
2018 PROPRIETARY RED WINE
NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $49.00 per bottle
Members price: $42.99 per bottle
A glass-staining, deep, dense bluish/purple in color, the 2018 Prisoner is from a gang of top vineyard sites throughout Napa Valley, including Korte Ranch in St. Helena and Tiedemann Ranch in Yountville. Each distinct vineyard block adds its own unique dimension, helping to complete the uniquely complex flavors that we have come to love and expect from The Prisoner.
