11/28/2022 - mcole23 Likes this wine:

Cherry on the nose , Cherry on the palette and well balanced A very smooth finish Only kept open for 20 minutes and poured it slow. Such an enjoyable wine the longer I drank it. Smoother as time went on.

2/19/2022 - mcole23 wrote:

Drank with Glenn and Marisol.

12/11/2021 - mcole23 wrote:

Drank with Glen and Marisol.

2/7/2021 - mcole23 wrote:

Very Well Balanced. A mild Old World taste throughout.

6/7/2020 - mcole23 Likes this wine:

Very consitant Plum and Black Cherry accents. The first sip is so impressive, and gets better and better. This is a great wine to pair with a good red meat dish. Very consistent on the plum flavor to the end. Great drinking leisurely or pairing with meat. Orin Swift never disappoints.

4/25/2020 - mcole23 Likes this wine:

Refreshing light fruity representation of an almost perfect Pinot Noir. Consistent throughout till the finish. Definitely going to buy more.

4/25/2020 - mcole23 Likes this wine:

Definitely old world body, flavors and texture. As soon as it hits your tongue. Almond and cherry flavors. Great smooth finish.

12/31/2019 - mcole23 Does not like this wine:

This did not drink well. Very dry with no punch to it.

11/16/2019 - mcole23 Likes this wine:

Glad I waited to drink this one. Smooth blackberry and plum flavors, consistent from first taste to the finish. Fantastic.

11/16/2019 - mcole23 Likes this wine:

I was afraid of waiting so long to drink this, but after 21 years, this was one of the best blends, complex and drank like an Old World Bordeaux. If I could only get my hands on more.

2/9/2019 - mcole23 wrote:

Well balanced and silky. Very slight Oak. A beautiful wine and perfect time to maximize the soft fruity tastes this wine offers.

12/1/2018 - mcole23 wrote:

Cork was very dry, and cracked, but saved the wine, and was so worth it. Deep color. Tasted Plum, great structure. Definitely a great representation of Oakville Cabernet. Definitely could drink this with a couple more years on it, but was fantastic now.

9/15/2018 - mcole23 Likes this wine:

Drinks great in this hot weather. Much more body than a normal Rose, with pleasant and refreshing fruit flavors.

8/19/2018 - mcole23 wrote:

Drank with Carolina and Brent

3/7/2018 - mcole23 Likes this wine:

Plum cherry deep flavors. First taste wowed me and stayed throughout the whole bottle. Deep rich fruit flavors.

2/23/2018 - mcole23 Likes this wine:

Great drinking now. Loved the sediment in this bottle.

2/23/2018 - mcole23 Likes this wine:

Drank great now. It's definitely rich and full of Cherry flavors. Glad I waited on this one. Drank better as we got to the end.

2/10/2018 - mcole23 Likes this wine:

Full bodied. Plum and Cherry obvious throughout. Excellent Hits the tongue with big fruit first sip.

12/25/2015 - mcole23 wrote:

Needed a good hour to hour and a half decanted to let the fruit come out. Was exactly what we expected. Drank just in time. Subtle fruits and long finish. Drank well the whole time.

9/13/2014 - mcole23 wrote:

This was really worth waiting until now to drink. It is a different wine.
Before it was a good drinking wine. Now it has a deeper, fruitier taste and tremendous finish. Have one more, wish I had more.

6/22/2014 - mcole23 wrote:

Outstanding Fruit Balanced wine. Really loved this.

5/17/2014 - mcole23 wrote:

Outstanding, the 2007 Oakville Cabs are drinking really great right now. Opened up for 3 hours. Drank with Lamb. Deep, well balanced, great fruit and oak balanced nicely. Wish I had more of the Plumpjack 2007.

5/17/2014 - mcole23 wrote:

This was outstanding. The 2007 Cabs are drinking really well now, especially Oakville Cabs. Decanted for 3 hours.

5/7/2014 - mcole23 wrote:

We drank this wine at Café Seville in Ft. Lauderdale for our 9th wedding anniversary. We bought this wine for our 2nd Wedding Anniversary in 2007 and so glad we waited until tonight to drink this. We let this wine open for about 2 hours. The aroma was so fruitful, like cherry and chocolate to the nose. Tasting this for the first time was amazing. Tasted like a deep chocolate, cherry fruit, and a tinch of tobacco and cinnamon. The texture was medium, perfect and the finish was a great combination of chocolate and deep fruit that lasted on the tongue, so delightful. There was not a strong oak flavor to it. Perfect blend that lasted well into our dinner. Loved this wine.

2/16/2014 - mcole23 wrote:

I think this was the best Location Wine so far.

11/16/2013 - mcole23 Likes this wine:

Need to decanter this for at least 2 hours.
The wine looks Purple colored. The legs are Medium. It smells like Medium Toast, and Black currant (cassis). It tastes like Black currant (cassis), and Oak. The body is Medium. The wine has Smooth texture. The wine finishes Short.

3/30/2013 - mcole23 Likes this wine:

Decanted for an hour and a half. This wine was typical, mature Howell Mountain wine.
The wine looks Purple colored. The legs are Medium. It smells like and Blackberry.
It tastes like and Black currant (cassis).
The body is Medium/Full. The wine has Satin-like texture. The wine finishes Long. One of the best Cabs I have had ever. Can't wait to try the 2012,,,Great low production high yield Cabernet.

2/21/2013 - mcole23 wrote:

Drinks like a medium bodied Cab. Even great the 3rd night.
It tastes like and Blackberry. The body is Medium. The wine has Smooth texture. The wine finishes Medium.

2/7/2013 - mcole23 wrote:

This is a well balanced wine. The longer it sits the more fruit flavors come out.
The wine looks Purple colored.
The body is Medium/Full. The wine has Silky texture. The wine finishes Medium.
It tastes like Prune, and Blackberry and Back Current (cassis)

12/24/2012 - mcole23 Likes this wine:

Outstanding. I like this better than Location E but both drink so good so soon. Alot of fruit after sitting for 45 min to an hour. Loved it. Another great wine from Dave Phinney.

10/23/2012 - mcole23 wrote:

This is a very sophisticated fruit blend. Think this is Dave Phinney's best European projects yet. And for the price??? Fruit bouquet bomber. Bought 2 this weekend. Drank one already and going to buy more. D66 was great, this is even more enjoyable. What a blend. Loving this.

10/3/2012 - mcole23 wrote:

This is really drinking real nice now,, I think that Prisoner, given a couple years, is worth the wait, although I have had no issues with drinking it ongoing.
Still love Orin Swift wines,, never get tired of any of them.

4/27/2012 - mcole23 wrote:

Outstanding well balanced Cab.

3/9/2012 - mcole23 wrote:

Drank this way too early. Tried to decant in restaurant, was just getting there. Will wait for awhile on the 2nd bottle.

2/12/2012 - mcole23 wrote:

Drinks very well now. Just as good as the 2009 vintage.

2/12/2012 - mcole23 wrote:

Decanted for 45 minutes Was not sure what to expect because the cork was soft and stained on the bottom half. Took a sip immediately to test if this aged properly. Something didn't seem quite right. Let it sit in the glass longer and tried again. This was definitely going to be interesting as the tannins and fruit started to even out to be what I thought was going to drink like a true Bordeaux. Sure enough it really did after 45 minutes and better as it sat. I really loved this and was the perfect time to drink this. Very balanced and fun to hold on the palate. Anyone have any more???

2/1/2012 - mcole23 wrote:

This is definitely a fruit bomb from start to finish. This is one wine I like to sip and hold on my tongue for a couple seconds before swallowing to enjoy the taste of black cherry. The aroma is just as enjoyable as I drink this out of a Bordeaux glass. The finish lingers on just the same. Typical Howell mountain enjoyment.

11/29/2011 - mcole23 wrote:

This wine drinks better now than the last bottle. Crisp fruit forward that stays with you. Love this wine. Hope they come out with a 2010.

10/5/2011 - mcole23 wrote:

This was perfect time to enjoy this wine. I wish I could find more.

9/16/2011 - mcole23 wrote:

Outstanding blend and great vintage. Worth the wait to drink now or later. Favorite Orin Swift wine.

9/3/2011 - mcole23 wrote:

Decanted for an hour. Still too young but outstanding fruit forward wine. Drank with Grilled Rib Eye and Truffle Macaroni.

5/28/2011 - mcole23 wrote:

Did not even decanter this very inexpensive Syrah, Petite Syrah blend This is a great example of a great, fruit forward wine that you do not have to spend alot of money on to enjoy it. Must be that Lodi terrior. I am going to buy some of this to drink more of. No one would ever know that this is a $19.00 bottle of wine. Fun drinking!!!

5/22/2011 - mcole23 wrote:

So great to drink a Bordeaux for this price and have the true flavors of subtle blackberry followed by the dry Bordeaux texture on the palate typical of a good Bordeaux. Decanted for 2 hours, drank slow and got better as the night went on. I know the longer this wine is stored the better it will accent this taste and texture. It is great though to be able to enjoy this, still now. 2009 was as good as they say. Do not have to spend alot to enjoy this vintage.

5/20/2011 - mcole23 wrote:

Typical Orin Swift tradition. Great to drink now. Best if decanted for an hour. Fruit forward black raspberry and mild tannins. Very well balanced. Not a long finish. Really enjoyed this as I have the Abstract.
Keep em coming.

5/17/2011 - mcole23 wrote:

Very well balanced fruit forward wine. Great time to have popped the cork on this one.

5/16/2011 - mcole23 wrote:

I was a little disappointed in the depth and structure of this Cabernet. Probably drank too early although I decanted it for 45 min to an hour. I would like to give this a second chance.

3/24/2011 - mcole23 wrote:

Opened this wine for the first time and just let it sit for a half hour. You can smell dark blackberry and chocolate aromas after pouring it into my glass and the taste was no different. For the price, this wine was much to my liking. Very distinct dark color. Amazing wine. Ordered 3 more bottles and ready to drink now.

3/6/2011 - mcole23 wrote:

This ranks up their with Orin Swift's Papillon. This wine has the most distinct dark blueberry and blackberry fresh taste to it. Drinks better than most Syrahs I have had. This one is a winner. 2 Home Runs for Dave Phinney in the last 6 months. Abstract and now Machete. The finish allows you to keep tasting that dark fruit longer than usual right on the back of your tongue. I decanted this for about 45 minutes and left what I did not finish in the decanter out till the next day. Drank even better the 2nd day!!!

2/5/2011 - mcole23 wrote:

Almost drank two cases of this great wine since it came out. Usually serve it when we are with other people and everyone loves it. Always decant for at least an hour and enjoy the distinct raspberry fruit and light oak. Not a big finish but still great with the sirloin/crab cake dinner we had last night.

1/9/2011 - mcole23 wrote:

Enjoyed this Bordeaux but did not have the depth as some of the other 2005 Bordeaux wines i have consumed. Maybe would drink better later.