8 Years in the Desert Red Blend
2022, Napa Valley, California, USA
8 Years in the Desert Red Blend
Red Blend
8 Years in the Desert
Bottle
$65Bottle
$65Loading tasteimonials...
Profile & Story
8 Years in the Desert is made by Orin Swift Cellars, the Napa Valley winery founded by Dave Phinney, who also created The Prisoner. The name references the eight-year non-compete period after Phinney sold The Prisoner brand, during which he was barred from making Zinfandel-based blends; the wine celebrates the end of that period and a return to his zinfandel roots. It is a bold California red blend built primarily around Zinfandel with Petite Sirah and Syrah, sourced from warm California growing regions. Like other Orin Swift bottlings, each vintage carries distinctive, frequently changing label artwork.
Tasting Notes
Blackberry jam and cassis are wrapped in mocha and sweet baking spice, the wine's plush, velvety body finishing on a note of dark chocolate. Restaurant's Notes: Ripe blackberry jam, cassis, dark cherry, vanilla, mocha, sweet spice; plush, bold, and smooth with a chocolatey finish.
Pairing Recommendation
Pairs well with smoked brisket tacos or a chile-rubbed carne asada, where its jammy fruit and spice balance the char and heat.