Orin Swift Cabernet Sauvignon Palermo 2018, Napa Valley, California

The spirit of Palermo resides in an allegorical catacomb that stands to honor the past, cloaked in deference to the vine, and strives to artfully frame what the harvest yields every year. Orin Swift has carefully assembled a diverse network of vineyards to work with. Palermo is a result incarnate from the flagship Cabernet Sauvignon program, which includes Mercury Head and Papillon. The wine represents years of experimentation with different lots, varying grape maturity levels, complex French cooperage programs, and some proprietary intuition. 2018 vintage – 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Ages fo 12 months in French oak, 39% new. A dark crimson with a blue band, the nose presents immediate aromas of boysenberry, currants, graphite, cedar, fir ash and vanilla. Seamless on the entry with resounding energy, the mid – palate features lush blackberry and bing cherry as well as a hint of sweet red licorice. Long, complex tannins punctu ate the finish with an elegant and tapering note of black tea.