The Orin Swift Tasting

The history of Orin Swift Cellars dates back to 1995 when on a lark, David Swift Phinney took a friend up on an offer and went to Florence, Italy to spend a semester “studying”. During that time, he was introduced to wine, how it was made, and got hooked. A few more years of university led to graduation and eventually a job at Robert Mondavi Winery in 1997 as a temporary harvest worker. Deciding that if he was going to work this hard, it would eventually have to be for himself and created Orin Swift Cellars in 1998; Orin is his father’s middle name and Swift is his mother’s maiden name. Despite the growth, Orin Swift Cellars continues to operate as a small, passionate team of friends and family dedicated to making great wine.

This week, due to overwhelming demand, we’re pleased to showcase some of the Orin Swift wines.

Come early ~ you won’t want to miss these!

Harvest Ranch El Cajon Wine Tasting Event:

Friday, May 1st, 2015  5pm – 7pm – $20/person
Saturday, May 2nd, 2015 3pm-5pm – $15/person

759 Jamacha Road
El Cajon, CA 92019
619-442-0355
View Map

The Orin Swift Tasting

Mannequin     ($27.99 During Tasting)

• Dazzling straw-gold in color, the wine serves up superrich aromas of ripe pineapple, vanilla bean, raw coconut, and honeyed lemon. The entry is supremely lush with complex flavors of roasted fig, apricot, green apple, and orchard fruit.

Saldo     ($27.99 During Tasting)

• “Jammy and loaded with toasty oak, with aromas of dark cherry, caramel and cracked pepper leading to zesty flavors of dried sage, espresso and licorice. “  ~ 90 Points Wine Spectator

Abstract   ($29.99 During Tasting)

• Extraordinary freshness is present upon entry leading to lush flavors of sweet boysenberries, kirsch, licorice, dark cherries, and exotic floral notes. The palate is thoroughly treated and left with a finish of bright acidity and round tannins, which exist in seamless balance.  Abstract is a blend of Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino Grenache, Petite Syrah, and Syrah primarily from hillside vineyards.   SOLD OUT

Machete   ($44.99 During Tasting)

• The entry is big, dark, and brooding with concentrated berry flavors, black cherry, mocha, and delightful earthy, brambly notes. Soft and lush, the tannins are sublime which offsets a pleasing mineral finish. Bottled with 12 Different Labels ~ Petit Syrah, Syrah, Grenache

Palermo    (Available to purchase but not to taste – Price available at tasting)

• Owner and winemaker Dave Phinney purchases Cabernet Sauvignon grapes that are intended specifically for Mercury Head and Papillon. Every year, he buys more grapes than he needs for the two blends so he always has multiple vineyards and corresponding wine characteristics to choose from.  The remaining grapes go into Palermo. Tragically, he lost 85% of the bottled 2013 Palermo in the earthquake ~ we had to call in a big favor to get this one case for you!

We hope to see you out this weekend!

The Customer Favorites Tasting

Due to popular request, this weekend we’ll re-taste some of the favorites from tastings gone by. We’ll start with a delicious Chardonnay from the Carneros region, then revisit the fantastic Pali Pinot Noir that made Wine Spectator’s TOP 100 list.

From there, we’ll sample two of Sonoma county’s best big reds ~ a Bordeaux styly blend and a big Alexander Valley Cabernet from Stuhlmuller. We’ll finish with the 91 pt Novy Syrah from Santa Lucia.

Join us this weekend at Harvest Ranch El Cajon!

~ Patrick Campbell

Harvest Ranch El Cajon Wine Tasting Event:

Friday, April 24th, 2015  5pm – 7pm – $20/person
Saturday, April 25th, 2015 3pm-5pm – $15/person

759 Jamacha Road
El Cajon, CA 92019
619-442-0355
View Map

The Customer Favorites Tastings

Acacia Chardonnay  2012    ($22.99 During Tasting)

• Appealing citrus-laced flavors of fresh and baked apple, ripe d’Anjou pear and white nectarine are punctuated by Meyer lemon zest, honeycomb, ginger spice and crème brûlée. Our Chardonnay’s luscious texture and bright, balanced acidity make it an ideal wine to pair with seafood, chicken and rich or creamy first courses and entrées. 91 Points CT

Pali Pinot Noir  2012    ($19.99 During Tasting)

• Its deep purple hue reflects its density. Full of wild berries, white pepper, violets and a touch of light oak. A full mouth feel of sweet black cherry, cinnamon, milk chocolate finishing with sea salt. #86 Top 100 WS

Eponymous Red  2010   ($24.99 During Tasting)

• Year in year out the hallmark of the wine that the grapes from this vineyard allow us to make has beautifully expressive aromas and elegant, balanced mouthfeel. To me this is the essence of a fine red wine/Bordeaux blend.  Cabernet Franc, Cabernet, Merlot

Stuhlmuller Cabernet  2012   ($34.99 During Tasting)

• This alluring wine displays a dark inky-purple color and head-turning aromas of blackberry, currant and ripe plum. On the palate, the texture is big and juicy, with velvety tannins and voluptuous flavors of dark berries and crème de cassis, as well as layers of saddle leather, sweet oak and spice. 90 Points Robert Parker

Novy  Syrah  2011   ($21.99 During Tasting)

• “Offers up a deep, decadent profile of smoked black fruits, lavender, bacon fat and crushed flowers.  Medium to full-bodied, rich and mouth-filling on the palate, with juicy, integrated acidity, this knockout Syrah is a joy to drink.” 91 Points Robert Parker

We hope to see you out this weekend!

The Hill Family Estate Wine Tasting

When he’s not riding waves, Kyle Knox is a passionate wine maker and brand ambassador for Hill Family Estate.  While the combination of a discerning sommelier and an easy-going surfer may seem counterintuitive, Pro Surfer Knox’s latest endeavor, called “The Barrel Blend” makes perfect sense. “It’s a blend of merlot, cabernet and a little bit of syrah,” says Knox. “I collaborated with the Hill family, who operate out of Napa. They’re a boutique winery, so their bottles typically go from twenty to thirty or fifty dollars, but this is sort of our left over wine, made from the excess juices so it sells for a little cheaper. Basically, we wanted to make the best twenty dollar bottle of wine you could buy.” “I’m a huge wino,” says Knox. “It’s so funny. You’d never guess it; it’s not like I only drink wine, but with a nice dinner it’s definitely the way to go.”

And if you’re not into wine, it’s almost worth it just to have a wine bottle with a sick barrel shot on it.

Kyle will join us this weekend so we’ll be stoked if you’ll

Come join the Party Wave!

Patrick Campbell

Harvest Ranch El Cajon Wine Tasting Event:

Friday, April 17th, 2015  5pm – 7pm – $20/person
Saturday, April 18th, 2015 3pm-5pm – $15/person

759 Jamacha Road
El Cajon, CA 92019
619-442-0355
View Map

The Hill Family Estate Wines

Hill Family Sauvignon Blanc    ($19.99 During Tasting)

• The nose is fragrant and lifts white peach, lychee, and honeydew melon into the aroma. The palate is full with a big center and nice acidity, showing melon and white peach flavors to match the nose, then adding in Meyer lemon, and some golden delicious apple.

Hill Family Chardonnay Carly’s Cuvee    ($21.99 During Tasting)

• This 2012 Chardonnay offers buttery popcorn, orange marmalade and honeyed citrus notes, medium to full body, excellent purity and ripeness and loads of fruit. Drink it over the next 2-3 years. ~ Robert Parker

Hill Family Merlot Beau Terre Vyd   ($29.99 During Tasting)

• Very attractive, the 2012 Merlot from Beau Terre Vineyard shows mocha and a touch of darker chocolate in a round, black cherry and currant-centered and flavored style. It is medium-bodied, silky soft and best drunk over the next 4-5 years. ~ Robert Parker

Hill Family Barrel Blend   ($19.99 During Tasting)

• The 2012 Proprietary Red is rich, dense and full-bodied with dark plum, blackcurrant and blueberry-like fruit. It’s elegant, pure, full-bodied with velvety texture and sweet tannin. Drinkable now, this wine should continue to offer delicious consumption for 5-7 years. ~ Robert Parker

Hill Family Syrah Clarke Vyd    ($31.99 During Tasting)

• The Clarke Syrah has a big, deeply fruited nose, with raspberry jam, and hints of mescal and vanilla crème soda. Ripe plum, raspberry, cassis, wild strawberry and a vanilla finish make this wine appealing to drink.

We hope to see you out this weekend!

Caymus Vineyards Pinot Noir Event!

Despite being raised in the cellars of Napa Cabernet icon Caymus Vineyards, Joe Wagner nonetheless decided that Pinot Noir was his calling.  His father Chuck taught him the realities of the field work and hose dragging that go into the guts of winemaking, so he wasn’t walking into the Pinot challenge wearing blinders.

The combination of paying attention and having good teachers has enabled Joe to create one of the most successful Pinot Noir brands in the world.

This weekend we’ll try the new vintages of the Caymus family Pinot Noirs ~ Meiomi, Belle Glos, and the new Oregon project Elouan, along with their Conundrum blends.

Join us for this incredible tasting!

Patrick Campbell

Harvest Ranch El Cajon Wine Tasting Event:

Friday, April 10th, 2015  5pm – 7pm – $20/person
Saturday, April 11th, 2015 3pm-5pm – $15/person

759 Jamacha Road
El Cajon, CA 92019
619-442-0355
View Map

Caymus Vineyards Pinot Noirs

Caymus Conundrum White    ($24.99 During Tasting)

• Really a unique wine—fragrant and juicy and unlike anything else out there. It’s a secret recipe in the sense they won’t share percentages of what makes the wine up, but they do confirm that it’s a blend of five grapes: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat Canelli, Viognier and Sémillon.

Elouan Pinot Noir    ($27.99 During Tasting)

• Elouan Pinot Noir emulates the successful sourcing philosophy introduced with Meiomi: blending the top Pinot Noir regions together for a richer, more complex style than what you could achieve by sourcing from one small area. In this instance, the grapes are grown in the great Oregon Valleys.  The diversity of these cool climate areas elongates the growing season, developing intense structure, while maintaining a vibrant acidity to differentiate it from any California Pinot Noir.

Meiomi Pinot Noir   ($24.99 During Tasting)

• Meiomi is a Pinot Noir that gets its fruit from the most noteworthy coastal areas in California. The wine is crafted, lush, balanced and luxurious. Three of  California’s most sought after coastal growing regions,  Sonoma, Monterey, and Santa Barbara, brilliantly meld together in this deeply flavored, stylish and truly balanced Pinot Noir; at its most fundamental core, it is an approachable, food friendly wine with a style and place all its own.

Belle Glos Pinot Noir   ($44.99 During Tasting)

• The depth of flavor here is notable and impressive with an extra lift of backbone.  Red and black fruits, cinnamon, dark chocolate and spice are dialed right up on the intensity meter.

Caymus Conundrum Red Blend    ($24.99 During Tasting)

• The latest Conundrum is exactly what it was intended to be: a versatile, easy drinking red that’s still stylish.  Cherries and chocolate with some dried berry notes that round out nicely on the finish.

We hope to see you out this weekend!

Friday evening we will be enjoying wines of the Pacific Northwest.  Our first three come from Oregon where cooler climate varietals shine.  Therefore, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir dominate the Oregon wine production.  Tonight’s selections are the Chehalem Chardonnay and the Domaine Serene Yamhill Cuvee Pinot Noir.  We will also enjoy a nice Oregon summer time wine, the Benton Lane Pinot Gris. In Washington warmer Bordeaux varietals do best.  Washington has begun to make a name for itself with high end Cabernet and tonight we have the Seven Hills Columbia Valley Cabernet.  The tasting culminates with a nice red wine from Bookwalter Winery that is largely a Cabernet and Merlot blend.

On Saturday we will taste some wines from Spain.   Spanish wine making has come leaps and bounds and there are some fantastic values available to consumers.  Tonight there is one white and four red wines on the list.  All five received 90 or more points from major publications. We have a nice Albarino to start off before exploring the red wines.  They include a Grenache, a Tempranillo, and a blend before we finish with the Alto Moncayo Garnacha.  This wine is a two time 100 Point Wine from Robert Parker in two of its prior vintages.

I will be sitting in this weekend for Bill and Patrick

We hope you will join us.

Jason Perry

Harvest Ranch El Cajon Wine Tasting Event:

Friday, April 3rd, 2015  5pm – 7pm – $20/person
Saturday, April 4th, 2015 3pm-5pm – $15/person

759 Jamacha Road
El Cajon, CA 92019
619-442-0355
View Map

Friday, April 3rd, 2015   5pm-7pm

Wines from the Pacific Northwest

2011 Pacific Rim Columbia Valley Dry Riesling    ($10.99 During Tasting)

• The wine is crisp, dry and lush with flavors of citrus, jasmine and minerals. Our Dry Riesling is endlessly versatile and harmoniously complements the world’s most vibrant and flavorful cuisine. Pair with anything from Asian to European to a wide variety of seafood, cheeses and cold meats. 91 Points Wine Enthusiast! #1/100 WE Smart Buys!

2011 WillaKenzie Willamette Valley Pinot Gris    ($19.99 During Tasting)

• Fresh straw color. Dominant notes of fresh squeezed lemon and tropical fruits give way to fragrant wisteria, jasmine, and rose petal on the nose. This bright and racy Pinot Blanc delivers lemon curd, granny smith apples, kiwi, and juicy blood oranges to the palate. A long finish brings the whole experience together with just a touch of stone fruit and minerals. Our 2011 Pinot Blanc will age well for 4-6 years. Serve slightly chilled. Try this acid driven Pinot Blanc with delicious white fish tacos, clam steamers, grilled prawns, or a green papaya salad. 89 Points Wine Advocate! 87 Points Wine Spectator!

2010 Tamarack Cellars Columbia Valley Firehouse Red   ($19.99 During Tasting)

• “The Firehouse Red is a multi-regional blend of 9 varietals aged for 16 months in 40% new oak. Dark ruby red in color, it displays a pleasant perfume of spicy red fruits, dried herbs, and floral notes. This sets the stage for a forward, easy-going, tasty offering with some complexity and length. It is an excellent value meant for drinking over the next 3-4 years.” Jay Miller Wine Advocate 88 Points! 89 Points Wine Spectator!

2007 Patton Willamette Valley Pinot Noir   ($32.99 During Tasting)

• “The medium ruby-colored 2007 Pinot Noir Estate Grown is a forward, easy-going wine with spice box, smoke, and red fruit aromas. On the palate ample savory fruit is buttressed by lively acidity. Drink this pleasant, spicy effort over the next 6 years.” JM Wine Advocate 87 Points! 88 Points Wine Spectator!

“BOZ SCAGGS RETURNS aka BIG RED BLENDS” TASTING

Boz Scaggs has released his 2012 Montage Red Blend, and we’ll be featuring it Friday and Saturday in El Cajon!  It was a huge hit when we poured it last year.

We’ll begin with a white Bordeaux and a Carneros Pinot Noir, then get to the serious Reds, beginning with Boz’s Montage from Mt. Veeder. Next we’ll sample the 90 pt rated Bogle Phantom, and follow up with the 95 pt Jaffurs Petite Syrah!

Don’t miss this one!

Patrick Campbell

Harvest Ranch El Cajon Wine Tasting Event:

Friday, March 27th, 2015  5pm – 7pm – $20/person
Saturday, March 28th, 2015 3pm-5pm – $15/person

759 Jamacha Road
El Cajon, CA 92019
619-442-0355
View Map

Same wines featured on both dates!

Ch. Coustat White Bordeaux  2013      ($16.99 During Tasting)

• In this blend, Sauvignon brings its trademark grassy aromas, while Semillon adds a touch of complexity and a waxy, honeyed note. Muscadelle, the lesser-known of the three varieties, contributes grapey aromas.

Sterling Pinot Noir 2012      ($24.99 During Tasting)

• This dark garnet colored Pinot Noir offers classic varietal aromatics. Spicy, jammy notes reminiscent of ripe plums, cherries and raspberries linger in the nose. On the palate the wine shows more plums and cherry notes and smoky and slightly toasted flavors.

Scaggs Montage   2012     ($39.99 During Tasting)

• Hints of boysenberry reduction sauce and pomegranate frame the palate followed by firmly delineated tannic structure providing balance and emphasizing length.  A blend of classic southern Rhone varietals: mourvedre, grenache , syrah and counoise.

Bogle Phantom 2011     ($17.99 During Tasting)

• “A smooth mouthfeel and fresh, fruity flavors make this appealing and easy to enjoy, while a firm texture brings it into the tradtional dry-wine category. It combines blackberry and black cherry aromas and flavors, with hints of vanilla and nutmeg. It’s full bodied, lush and round in texture.”

THE “SPRING ARRIVES” TASTING

Friday marks the first day of Spring, 2015. To mark the occasion, we’ll enjoy a selection of fresh, lively wines ~ from California Friday, and from Europe Saturday ~ with the caveat that one of the Saturday wines is made from the California estate of one of Spain’s largest wineries, Torres.

We’ll begin Friday with a Sonoma Loeb Chardonnay, then enjoy a crisp Rose from Luli. Following, we’ll sample two great Cabernets ~ a Round Pond from Rutherford, and a rising star, Hidden Ridge Cabernet with its sparkling 94 pt rating! Lastly, we’ll see how a big Napa Syrah is tasting after 8 years in bottle.

Saturday, we’ll kick things off with an Alsatian Riesling, then enjoy the Marimar Pinot Noir from Marimar Torres, a 90 pointer that Robert Parker says “tastes just like premier cru Burgundy.” Afterward, northern Italy shows off the classy Produttori Barbaresco, followed by Guigal’s Cotes du Rhone. The finale will be one of Spain’s most powerful wines, the Numanthia Numanthia from Toro!

See you this weekend!

Patrick

Harvest Ranch El Cajon Wine Tasting Event:

Friday, March 20th, 2015  5pm – 7pm – $20/person
Saturday, March 21st, 2015 3pm-5pm – $15/person

759 Jamacha Road
El Cajon, CA 92019
619-442-0355
View Map

Friday, March 20th, 2015  5pm – 7pm – $20/person

The “Spring Arrives” Tasting

Sonoma Loeb Chardonnay  2013      ($22.99 During Tasting)

• Originally sourced from one small block of Sangiacomo Vineyard’s famed “Home Ranch,” the vineyard sources have expanded to several of Sangiacomo’s best blocks. This cool, windswept vineyard has an ideal location bordering San Pablo Bay where the grapes slowly mature developing intense varietal character, while retaining excellent acidity and structure.

Luli Rose  2014      ($34.99 During Tasting)

• Crisp and fresh. Made in a vin gris style, the red grapes are pressed immediately when they arrive in the winery. The juice is not allowed to sit on the skins, limiting the amount of its color. A beautiful, vibrant wine results.

Round Pond Cabernet    2012       ($31.99 During Tasting)

• Intense, with vibrant, snappy, extracted dark berry, underbrush, fresh earth, black licorice and cedar notes. Maintains focus and ends with a persistent push of flavors. Drink now through 2021. Wine Spectator’s Top Value

Hidden Ridge Cabernet  2012     ($49.99 During Tasting)

• “The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon 55 Degrees Slope exhibits an opaque ruby/purple color as well as beautiful, sweet crème de cassis, Asian plum sauce, licorice and forest floor notes. Full-bodied with velvety tannins, and impressive concentration, texture and length, this superb Cabernet can be drunk early in life because of its velvety opulence or cellared for two decades.” 94 Points Robert Parker

Venge Syrah  2006     ($34.99 During Tasting)

• Aims for succulence and opulence and delivers, with a wealth of blackberry jam, plums, carob, pepper, thyme and cedar. Definitely in the New World-California style, which is soft, superripe and fruity-sweet.

The Foxen and Portfolio Tastings

On Friday we will take a look at the unique wines of Foxen Vineyard and Winery. Among the wines will be a 2013 Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and 2012 Blk 8 Pinot and a Cuvee Marie.

On Saturday Daniel Morando from Quintessential Wines will be on hand to share his favorite wines from his portfolio.

Hope to see you this weekend.

Patrick Campbell

Harvest Ranch El Cajon Wine Tasting Event:

759 Jamacha Road
El Cajon, CA 92019
619-442-0355
View Map

Friday, March 6th, 2015  5pm – 7pm – $20/person

The Foxen Tasting

Foxen Chenin Blanc  2013      ($24.99 During Tasting)

• This is soft, supple and accessible. Pear, melon, almonds and spices inform the expressive, silky finish. This is an impeccable white from Foxen to drink now and over the next few years.” 90 Points Tanzer

Foxen Chardonnay  2013      ($34.99 During Tasting)

• “Outstanding with its pineapple, citrus, lime peel and seawater-like aromas and flavors flowing nicely to a medium-bodied, focused and racy style on the palate. Barrel-fermented and aged on its lees, it should drink nicely for 4-6 years after release. “ 92 Points Parker

Foxen Pinot Noir 2013       ($39.99 During Tasting)

• Bright red. Highly perfumed scents of spicy redcurrant, raspberry, fresh flowers and smoky minerals. Juicy red berry flavors pack a solid punch but come off as lithe. Brisk red berry skin and white pepper qualities dominate a long, lively finish firmed by dusty tannins.” 90 Points Vinuous

Foxen Blk 8 Pinot  2012     ($69.99 During Tasting)

• “Pure class, with fabulous purity of fruit and an elegant, seamless style. Exhibiting notions of sweet red fruits, crushed flowers and sweet spice, it shows the suppleness of the vintage, yet has solid richness, a layered, balanced feel and a terrific finish. Completely destemmed and aged 17 months in 50% new French oak, it’s an awesome Pinot Noir to drink over the coming 5-8 years.” 94 Points Parker

Foxen Cuvee Marie  2012     ($39.99 During Tasting)

• “The Grenache-based 2012 Cuvée Jeanne Marie Williamson-Doré Vineyard is floral, lifted and very pretty. Bright red berries meld into perfumed notes in a forward, fruit-driven wine to drink in its youth, while the flavors remain alive and expressive. This is yet another superb, polished wine from Foxen.” 93 Points Vinuous

This Friday, we’ll take a wine tour of Europe; in fact, it could almost be called a Top 100 wines of the world tasting as 3 of the wines were picked by Wine Spectator as representative of the 100 best!

We’ll begin with an Alsatian Riesling from Zind Humbrecht.  Then we’ll drop down to the south of France for a value red from Gerard Bertrand.  Followed by crossing the border into Spain for a Tarima Hill Mourvedre.

Next, we’ll continue south to the Italian region of Maremma, where we’ll sample a Super Tuscan that’s getting major press!  Our last destination, but definitely not least, will be Portugal, where we’ll be very fortunate to try one of the best wines from Chryseia, who placed not one, but two wines on the Top 100! This is an outstanding opportunity to taste wine from some of the great regions in Europe!

We’ll begin with a tasty Rose from the Dragonette boys in Happy Canyon. Since we’re in the neighborhood, we’ll swing by Byron and try the Pinot Noir that’s garnering all the praise around Santa Barbara (and a huge 93 pt score).

And, just to see if we agree that they deserve the huge point score they just got, we’ll pop open arguably one of the benchmarks for Pinot Noir, the Flowers Pinot, and compare the two! Lest you tire of Pinot, we’ll head over to Lodi for some Zin, and of course, Napa Valley for some Cab.

Please join us for some excellent fellowship, and wine, of course.

Harvest Ranch El Cajon Wine Tasting Event:

759 Jamacha Road
El Cajon, CA 92019
619-442-0355
View Map

Friday, February 27th, 2015  5pm – 7pm – $20/person

The Europe Tasting

Zind Humbrecht Herrenweg Riesling 2012      ($46.99 During Tasting)

• From one of the most respected producers of Alsace, this concentrated wine has weight and richness while showing green fruits, aromatic red currants and tangy zest.

Bertrand Syrah/Grenache  2011     TOP 100 90 WS       ($14.99 During Tasting)

• A ripe aroma leads to rich, concentrated dark plum and blueberry flavors, with a succulent spiciness.

Tarima Hill  2012       ($16.99 During Tasting)

• Powerful aromas of blueberry and violet, with smoky flavors of dark cherry and candied flowers, with a sweet, fruit driven finish. 91 Points Wine Advocate.

Brancaia Ilatraia  2010     ($42.99 During Tasting)

• Pure, and oh so silky, featuring flavors of currant and sweet spice.  The subtle texture is offset by refined tannins as this cruises to a long aftertaste. Top 100, 94 Points Wine Advocate, 93 Point Wine Spectator.

Prats Symington  2009     ($47.99 During Tasting)

• Pure and powerful, with hints of lushness to the concentrated re plum raspberry and dark currant flavors. Top 100, 94 Points Wine Advocate, 93 Wine Spectator