Orin Swift Cellars Palermo Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

Orin Swift Cellars Palermo Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 is a powerful, dark, and beautifully structured red wine crafted by winemaker Dave Phinney. Sourced from diverse, premium vineyard sites across the Napa Valley floor and surrounding hillsides, it undergoes aging for 12 months in French oak barrels (31% new). In the glass, it presents a deep cardinal core with a brilliant ruby rim. The nose opens with intense aromas of ripe black currant, blueberry reduction, muddled cassis, and licorice, intertwined with notes of cedar box, graphite, and dark chocolate. On the palate, it is full-bodied, rich, and mouth-filling, offering a seamless entry of concentrated dark berry flavors balanced by firm, dusty tannins, vibrant acidity, and a long, lingering finish laced with subtle espresso bean and sweet spice.

Food Pairing: Pairs wonderfully with prime ribeye steak, braised short ribs, grilled lamb chops, smoked brisket, wild mushroom ragù, and aged sharp cheddar cheese.

93 Points - James Suckling

A powerful, firmly textured red with deep, potent fruit flavors on a full body. Packed with dark cherry, blackberry, tobacco leaf and black pepper flavors backed by full tannins and a touch of tangy acidity for balance.

92 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Palermo is sourced from various sites in Napa Valley and also includes 5% Zinfandel and 3% Petite Sirah. It's faintly leafy but also boasts lovely cherry fruit and a hint of blueberries on the nose, while the palate is full-bodied and softly dusty, with ample length to the mouthwatering finish. For a big, bold Napa Cab, it's a reasonable value that presages the eye-popping quality of the 2023 vintage.

92 Points - Wine Enthusiast

Powerful and full-bodied with a concentration of succulent dark fruits, blueberry, blackberry and oregano compote with a warm mocha beside. Generous flavor is well carried by this structural Cabernet Sauvignon for a wine that is about opulence as much as aging, enjoyment as much as form.