Petite Sirah is a revered grape varietal at Orin Swift. Since 2000, it has been made and utilized primarily as a blending component due to scarcity. Unlike its celebrated relative Syrah, Petite Sirah can be a challenge to source. Yet, it has always been an objective to showcase the varietal in a dynamic blend and a pursuit was launched to find some prized petite vineyards. The realization of this goal came in 2009 with the first release of Machete. Spurred by a favorable reaction, Orin Swift continued their hunt to include additional blocks in an effort to make the wine even better. Prominent regions throughout Northern California comprise this matrix, which provides for added layers of depth and structure. The results of which is a wine with attitude to complement the twelve individual labels.
The 2022 Machete relaxes in the glass with an opaque, inky garnet core and a neon violet rim; be careful, it stains. Aromatically, the wine opens with powerful notes of bright black plum, slate, cacao, wild sage and crushed gravel. The transition to the palate screams with its brawny presence of brooding blackberry pie and ripe blue fruits yet tempered with hints of orange peel and Amarena cherry. Chewy tannins, typical of Petite Sirah, soften over time and culminate in a lengthy finish with a note of sweet oak.
The 2022 Machete relaxes in the glass with an opaque, inky garnet core and a neon violet rim; be careful, it stains. Aromatically, the wine opens with powerful notes of bright black plum, slate, cacao, wild sage and crushed gravel. The transition to the palate screams with its brawny presence of brooding blackberry pie and ripe blue fruits yet tempered with hints of orange peel and Amarena cherry. Chewy tannins, typical of Petite Sirah, soften over time and culminate in a lengthy finish with a note of sweet oak.
