Machete 2019 (Orin Swift)

Cellar for up to 10 years. Decant 2 hours before serving. Each bottle of Machete is a little different from the next thanks to Orin Swift’s bold collaboration with avantgarde photographer Caitlin Mitchell. In total there are twelve labels, each bearing a breathtaking image which captures an distinct aspect of this quirky wine’s personality. The unusual name, Machete, was chosen by winemaker David Swift Phinney to reflect his ambition to create a groundbreaking Californian Petite Sirah blend. Composed of predominantly Petite Sirah along with modest quantities of Syrah and Grenache all sourced from prime vineyard sites, the wine is aged in French oak for 10 months to reveal a varietal character that is simultaneously robust and elegant. Like violet ink in the glass, this alluring red blend exudes aromas of black forest cake, wild berries and dark plums which evolve in the glass into hints of smoke, menthol and dried herbs. The first sip reveals a full-bodied wine with firm tannins and spicy ripe fruit character complemented aby distinctive earthy flavours and a very long finish. David’s blend is easily one of the finest Petite Sirah blends being made in California today thanks to his deep instinctive knowledge of the state’s winemaking capabilities. Since founding his business back in 1998 with just two tons of Zinfandel, David has accumulated over 20 years of experience working the vineyards of Napa Valley and built a high profile reputation with cult wines like The Prisoner. Not content just to make wine in California, these days he focuses on pushing the boundaries of winemaking all over the world including the Languedoc, Argentina and Corsica.