The Story
Orin Swift Cellars Mercury Head Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 is a monumental, ultra-premium Napa Valley red wine crafted by winemaker Dave Phinney. Sourced from exceptional vineyard blocks across the microclimates of Rutherford, St. Helena, and Atlas Peak, it exhibits a nearly opaque crimson-garnet core. The expressive nose bursts with intense aromas of cassis, black cherry compote, fresh thyme, sandalwood, and a faint hint of charred ribeye. On the palate, it delivers a massive, velvety, and deeply layered texture, showcasing rich flavors of blackberry preserves, blue fruits, and dark chocolate, brilliantly contrasted by an unexpected brightness of blood orange and rhubarb. The 13 months of aging in French oak (52% new) beautifully integrates the chalky, refined tannins, culminating in an extensive, mineral-edged finish accented by lingering notes of licorice, cocoa, and tobacco leaf.
Food Pairing: Prime dry-aged ribeye steak, grilled pepper-crusted venison, slow-braised beef short ribs, roasted leg of lamb with rosemary, and intense, aged hard cheeses like a mature Gouda or cloth-bound Cheddar.
A super-concentrated, trim and age-worthy red that's structured and deep, with black cherry flavors on an elegant texture. Very focused, showing supple tannins and slightly restrained fruit, graphite, cocoa, black olive and tobacco leaf flavors. Full-bodied but still balanced. Drink now or hold.
Description
Orin Swift Cellars Mercury Head Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 is a monumental, ultra-premium Napa Valley red wine crafted by winemaker Dave Phinney. Sourced from exceptional vineyard blocks across the microclimates of Rutherford, St. Helena, and Atlas Peak, it exhibits a nearly opaque crimson-garnet core. The expressive nose bursts with intense aromas of cassis, black cherry compote, fresh thyme, sandalwood, and a faint hint of charred ribeye. On the palate, it delivers a massive, velvety, and deeply layered texture, showcasing rich flavors of blackberry preserves, blue fruits, and dark chocolate, brilliantly contrasted by an unexpected brightness of blood orange and rhubarb. The 13 months of aging in French oak (52% new) beautifully integrates the chalky, refined tannins, culminating in an extensive, mineral-edged finish accented by lingering notes of licorice, cocoa, and tobacco leaf.
Food Pairing: Prime dry-aged ribeye steak, grilled pepper-crusted venison, slow-braised beef short ribs, roasted leg of lamb with rosemary, and intense, aged hard cheeses like a mature Gouda or cloth-bound Cheddar.
A super-concentrated, trim and age-worthy red that's structured and deep, with black cherry flavors on an elegant texture. Very focused, showing supple tannins and slightly restrained fruit, graphite, cocoa, black olive and tobacco leaf flavors. Full-bodied but still balanced. Drink now or hold.
