Orin Swift 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Palermo Napa Valley

Dave Phinney's latest release is here and it's hot! Make sure to grab a couple bottles because it won't be around for long. Winemaker Notes - The 2009 Palermo has a dense red/black hue. It has a dark berry and ripe currant nose with rich oak undertones and aged cigar box. The mouth coating huge entry leads into a soft middle with bright acidity. The long finish is broad with ripe tannins and plenty of structure lingering on the palate for 20-30 seconds. Approximately 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. Howell Mountain, Oakville, Rutherford, Saint Helena, and Spring Mountain 15.5% Alc./Vol. Aging: 16 months in French Oak, 30% new. At Orin Swift we purchase Cabernet Sauvignon grapes for Mercury Head and Papillon. Every year we buy more grapes than we need for the two blends. We do this so we always have multiple vineyards and corresponding wine characteristics to choose from. We also experiment with different grape maturity levels, French barrel producers, and fermentation techniques. This is done to try to learn more with each vintage and create a wine with greater complexity and balance. These multiple lots either add something to the final blend or become their own parts, parts we consider to be separate among equals. We blended these separate but equal parts together in a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon called Palermo.