At perfect ripeness, the Pinot Noir grapes are harvested entirely by hand in the early morning. Each bunch is visually inspected and placed in small crates. The winemaker at Orin Swift starts the harvest so early to preserve the freshness of the grapes and minimize damage during harvesting. Once all the grapes are gathered, they are gently pressed, and the beautifully ripe juice is then aged for ten months in oak barrels. For this red Orin Swift Slander, 42% new oak barrels are used, making it powerful and very full-bodied. It is a beautiful wine and, unfortunately, quite rare.
The fun can begin as we open the bottle. As this remarkable bottle opens, we immediately smell a beautiful wine. It offers notes of ripe cranberries, marmalade, white pepper, and fresh brioche bread. As we pour, these aromas are enhanced, with hints of sage and Mediterranean herbs. On the palate, the wine is very full-bodied and powerful without losing the beautiful characteristics of the Pinot Noir grape. Beautiful flavors of ripe cherries, rose petals, vanilla, and other red fruits complete the experience. The finish of the Slander is long and robust, with abundant soft tannins that make everything very exciting.
