Orin Swift Abstract

Jun 27
3 min read

Updated: Jul 25

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At a Glance

Producer: Orin Swift Cellars

Region: California

Winemaker: Dave Phinney

Blend (2023): 49% petite sirah, 23% syrah, 21% grenache, 7% zinfandel

Vintage: 2023

Alcohol: 15.3%

What to Look For

Abstract is exactly the kind of wine that makes Orin Swift fans smile. Look for ripe black plum, blueberry, blackberry and boysenberry layered with notes of Tahitian vanilla, leather and dried lavender. It's rich, concentrated and full-bodied with silky tannins and a long, generous finish.

Pair With

This is the bottle I want when there's a steak on the grill. It also loves short ribs, barbecue, smoked brisket, burgers, lamb, aged cheddar, or just a good conversation that lasts longer than you planned.

Why This Wine?

This one was easy.

We poured Abstract at our Orin Swift tasting this spring, and it was definitely the fan favorite...second only to Mercury Head.

Well...because Mercury Head is ridiculous.

I've learned that if Orin Swift makes it, I probably want to taste it.

One of the things I love about Abstract is that it's inspired by the great blends of France's Rhône Valley. It's not about one grape taking center stage. It's about how all the grapes work together.

Funny story...

I didn't actually learn any of this until I sat down to write this blog.

At our tasting, we poured the 2022 vintage. On the technical sheet, Orin Swift described it as a grenache-forward blend, so I've been happily telling everyone that ever since.

But I just realized our Wine Club members received the 2023 vintage. As I started researching this post, I realized Orin Swift did something new this year—they actually published the exact blend.

Turns out the 2023 is 49% petite sirah, 23% syrah, 21% grenache, and 7% zinfandel.

So...my tasting notes with your bottles this month were really referring to the 2022.

My bad.

Sorry, friends!

Honestly, I kind of love discovering things like this. It reminds me that Abstract isn't meant to follow a recipe. Every vintage changes a little because the goal isn't to make the exact same wine every year—it's to make the best version of Abstract that year's fruit allows.

A year ago, I probably would've looked at a blend led by petite sirah, syrah, grenache and zinfandel and might not have picked it up.

Now I'm finding myself much more interested in what happens when those grapes come together than in which one has the biggest percentage.

Maybe that's one of the reasons I keep coming back to Orin Swift.

They have a way of getting me to explore grapes I probably wouldn't have picked up on my own a year ago.

What Other People Are Tasting

Obviously, there is no "right" answer when tasting wine. Sometimes I pick up what the experts describe. Sometimes...not even close. That's part of the fun.

Here are a few things that stood out to some experienced palates:

James Suckling – 93 points

"A deep and full-bodied red that's powerful in black fruit... blackberry, dried blueberry, black licorice and black pepper flavors backed by sturdy tannins."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate – 90 points