Community Tasting Note
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Winedog1 Likes this wine: 96 points
June 26, 2018 - Really dark color. Smelled like raw beef and brine. Apparently 56% Zinfandel, 34% Petite Sirah, and 10% Syrah. Comparable to a very high-end Turley, but not as sweet. Hint of vanilla on the finish.
4 people found this helpful 4,112 views
16 Comments
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Bin707LoversDetroit commented:
9/11/18, 11:45 AM - Good day Winedog1, we have a question about this Orin Swift beverage.
The gift pack 8 bottle set with book and box runs about $1,000 and one of our local stores has one and told us they'll sell it for $950. OK. But, recently we found out Orin Swift is releasing individual bottles of "8 years in the Desert" next month (2017s?) , and at around $46 a piece...
We were told by one of our local retailers that it is NOT the same wine and that the gift boxes are just one year- 2016- and that particular blend will not be made again (presumably to hold the boxed set value and not aggravate those who invested that grand).
Our concern, of course, is spending that kind of money and a decade later having the gift set hold its value or increase; and so we are asking, have you heard of such thing?
Did you purchase the gift set or just have the luxury of trying a bottle?
Asking in the sense of- have you heard of any of this?
Thanks. -
Winedog1 commented:
9/11/18, 11:55 AM - Very interesting. My bottle came out of a friend's box set. He gave me a bottle. Ironically, I have just recently been considering the purchase of a box set myself. Let me know if you learn anything more. Thank you.
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Bin707LoversDetroit commented:
9/11/18, 11:56 AM - NICE FRIEND! WE WANT FRIENDS LIKE THAT!!! But that is a bit telling, that you tried it and would consider dropping a grand on eight... You really did love it... 96 pts worth!
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Bin707LoversDetroit commented:
9/11/18, 6:14 PM - WineDog1, we learned this... Complements to CT User THaas:
THaas says:
9/11/2018 12:26:00 PM - In response to your question about 8 Years in the Desert:
I was fortunate enough to be given a bottle of the 2016 from one of the gift boxes, so I only had the one bottle (label 5, for what it's worth). The 2017 production is going to be much, much higher (2600 8-packs of the 2016 were made, or just a hair over 1733 normal cases, while the projected production for 2017 is 50,000 cases).
The blend will be somewhat different, and obviously the sourcing will be broader in 2017 than 2016, and that plus not being totally rare will tend to lower prices; whether $50 a bottle makes more sense than $125 is up to you (personally, I found the price point and sales structure of the 2017 to be a bit off-putting).
I did get to try the 2017 in pre-release, and found it to be actually *more* drinkable than the 2016 (seemed like the alcohol was lower and better integrated). Would I pay $950 for 8 bottles of the 2016, versus $600 for 12 bottles of the 2017? Personally, probably not. -
Vinomazing commented:
9/29/18, 9:52 AM - Dear All, these discussions and all the TNs have helped much. Thank you. Was very confused at first of the 2016 vs 2017 differences. Grazi, went with a few 2017s. Best.
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HowellTime commented:
10/11/18, 3:43 PM - Hi Bin707...., you say that there were 2600- 8 packs, can you tell me where you found you’re info. I personal called Orin swift and they told me there were only 1000- 8 packs for the 2016?
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Bin707LoversDetroit commented:
10/11/18, 5:10 PM - HowellTime, thanks for the comment, we are still fretting over whether to purchase the 8 pack and try it when our elementary-school-age boys turn 21...
Here is the - what appears to be one source over many pages- info I have read...
Critical Acclaim
RP 94
Robert Parker's
Wine Advocate
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.
Rating: 94+
https://www.wine.com/product/orin-swift-cellars-8-years-in-the-desert-8-bottle-set-2016/427685
https://www.klwines.com/p/i?i=1352779
https://www.grapetray.com/products/13089826/orin-swift-8-years-in-desert-2016
Let us know when we can come over and try a bottle! We'll bring a nice one too!!! We could use another wine road trip!!!! ; )~ -
Vinomazing commented:
10/11/18, 5:33 PM - Hey guys, just a thought, avoid that huge fee for 8 bottles of 2016 of the same bottling, there is much better to buy and hold at $125 per bottle for the kids when they are of age. Unless Zin is the end all for you, then heck just go for it! Cin cin!
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HowellTime commented:
10/11/18, 6:26 PM - Vinomazing, when I think of Zuma that can stand the rest of time I think of Turley Howell Mountain. I have several late 90’s Turley’s from Black Sears vineyard that are just stellar now !!!
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Bin707LoversDetroit commented:
10/11/18, 6:50 PM - Thanks for all the great thoughts and words, folks. We love this community.
Presently we have a Penfolds Bin 389 from each of their birth years put away (and we LOVE Bin 389- NO idea if they will when they're 21), but we'll see if that holds out for 21 years. We know our cellar is good for it, as we have enjoyed 1992s, 1999s and many 2001s & on, from so many years in our storage so far.
Noroc to you all! -
Vinomazing commented:
10/11/18, 10:14 PM - Dear Howell and Bin, what a great discussion that occurred here. I am sending my wine hunter on the search for Turley, very very intrigued and will secure, so thank you for such. Penfolds "aye carumba" an affordable Penfolds, I had no idea. Wonderful, just wonderful tips taking away here. Grazie!
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Bin707LoversDetroit commented:
10/16/18, 7:25 AM - Well thank you for the kind words, Vinomazing, tell us where you are and next time we travel that way we'll endeavor to bring a bottle (or three) and meet & share & enjoy!!!
We love this CT stuff, it's almost like being on a cruise ship and dining at a large table with great strangers. Everyone is in a good mood because they're on a cruise and the stories & travel and wine-flow are fantastic! We once enjoyed an Opus One on a line, and the bottle was only $160...
Opus One on a cruise ship for less than retail!!! We should have gotten three!!!
Here on CT, we're all dissecting silly vins. Just as dynamic and engaging, and everyone should be in a good mood doing it too! We always are!
WineDog1, did you ever think your five sentences would turn into a months-long convo? Great stuff! Thanks to all for posting!
Noroc! -
Vinomazing commented:
10/21/18, 10:54 PM - Hola guys...Found a quality vendor selling 2016 single bottles @ $125 a piece when traveling up & down East Coast. Assume you may need to ship, inform if would like more info.
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Bin707LoversDetroit commented:
10/26/18, 5:45 PM - Thanks Vinomazing, for that vendor information. My local shop still has the 8 pack and I am still on the fence.
Take care! -
Bin707LoversDetroit commented:
10/26/18, 7:14 PM - Thanks so much, I am sick in bed tonight, but would like to do that another time.
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Bin707LoversDetroit commented:
11/7/19, 11:21 AM - Well... For good or bad... I found a 2016 gift box and pulled the trigger... Last night I even read Phinney's "poetry" book - story book... he incuded in the set... Read it in one sitting. Glad for him that he makes wine... He's no Don Winslow.
Anyway, I think I really liked the "expiration of the non-compete" story, because I draft a lot of those non compete agreements as an attorney... and then D.P. talks about the sweat, tears and blood that he put into this 1st time back to Zin vintage...
Also my retailer got me a photograph with him and the winemaker and this box, so that is pretty cool too...
In 5 or more years we'll crack the 1st one and see what it's turned into...
Loving that it's ALREADY 93 pointer- still in its youth!
Oh, and I guess I was feeling a little flush, because along with this set, I bought the Adobe Road Grand Prix Racing Series four bottle set as well... Love being a Detroit Car Guy!!!
Noroc!!!