A proprietary red blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Syrah. The Zinfandel comes from Stefani Vineyard in Dry Creek, the Petite Sirah from Monte Rosso, and the Syrah from Stagecoach. The wine is aged for eight months in 32% new French oak. The wine is layered with white pepper character and rich mulberry and jammy strawberry fruit, exactly as you’d expect from this blend, but with an added lift of cooler blue-fruited nuance. Everything is supported by a framework of velvety tannins that build through to a long, bright finish. This is the best vintage of this wine I’ve ever tasted. It brings a freshness and ageability factor that feels entirely new for this bottling—full stop.
95 points, Jonathan Cristaldi, Decanter (Dec 2025)
Based primarily on Zinfandel (60%, mainly from Sonoma's Dry Creek Valley), Orin Swift's 2024 Red Blend 8 Years in the Desert also includes 28% Petite Sirah, 7% Syrah and 5% other reds. The largest-production wine in the range this vintage (41,500 cases), it's a terrific effort, with a perfumed nose of ripe raspberries and hints of stone fruit. It's full-bodied (15.4% alcohol) and silky-textured, nicely balanced and mouthwatering, with soft tannins on the finish.
93 points, Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate (May 2026)
Torque meets polish in this hearty red, which offers deep flavors of blackberry and currant, all highlighted by bitter chocolate, candied orange peel and sandalwood tones that build toward broad-shouldered tannins. Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Syrah. Drink now through 2035. 41,500 cases made.
93 points, Tim Fish, Wine Spectator (Aug 2026)
Always a cult classic. The wine is opulent with aromatics of Olallieberry, dried sage, molasses, Tahitian vanilla and dried violets on the nose. The flavors on the palate are ripe, blackberry jam, black currant confiture, bittersweet chocolate, orange zest, and grippy tannins on the finish.
93 points, Tonya Pitts, Wine Enthusiast (Oct 2026)
A full-bodied, powerful blend, showing firm tannins wrapped around gorgeous blackberry and boysenberry flavors with dark chocolate, black pepper, cocoa and blueberries. Zinfandel is the main component, plus petite sirah, syrah and grenache. Drink now.
93 points, Jim Gordon, James Suckling (May 2026)
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