Orin Swift 8 Years in the Desert Red Blend 750ml

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Zinfandel Blend Eight Years (a blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Syrah) comes bounding out of the glass with notes of raspberry pie, blackberry preserves and fruitcake with touches of hoisin and Chinese five spice plus and waft of underbrush. Full-bodied, rich and spicy in the mouth, it packs in the black fruit preserves, framed by chewy tannins and finishing on a savory note. 2,600 cases were made.

The exact proportions and origins of the 2020 Zinfandel Blend 8 Years in the Desert are deliberately kept fuzzy by the winery, but the wine does include Petite Sirah, Syrah and Barbera in addition to Zin. Aged in roughly half new oak, the nose brings an overlay of vanilla to a core of ripe blackberries. Full-bodied and open-knit, it adds briary, herbal notes on the palate, plus a bit of cracked pepper. Soft, dusty tannins mark the finish, along with hints of mocha and bittersweet chocolate. Drink it over the next several years.