# Palermo (2017)

- **Producer:** Orin Swift Cellars
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc
- **Region:** California, United States
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 15.2%
- **Average price:** €70
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** black cherry, blackberry, black plum, ripe fruit, vanilla, cloves, cedar, chocolate, coffee, dried fruit, cooked fruit, leather, earth, tobacco, wet leaves

## About this wine

Palermo is a still red wine from Napa Valley, USA, produced by Orin Swift Cellars. The 2017 vintage is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, with potential additions of Syrah, Merlot, Petite Sirah, and Cabernet Franc, reflecting a blend that aims to represent the Napa Valley appellation. The wine's distinctive label, featuring a mummified cardinal, was chosen by winemaker David Swift Phinney to symbolize power and dignity. Orin Swift Cellars, founded in 1998, is known for its opulent and bold wine styles. The 2017 growing season in Napa was notably challenging due to wildfires. Palermo is crafted to be an approachable yet age-worthy expression of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, sourcing fruit from various sub-regions to achieve a comprehensive regional profile.

## Interesting facts

- The label image is a 16th-century mummified Cardinal from Palermo, Italy.
- Orin Swift is a combination of the founder's father's middle name and mother's maiden name.
- Production volume estimates vary wildly, from 400 to over 14,000 cases.
- The wine is known for its 'high-octane' style.

## Food pairing

The wine's full body, pronounced tannins, and high alcohol content make it ideal for rich, protein-heavy dishes. The tannins bind with proteins in the meat, softening the wine and making the food taste less fatty. Its robust fruit profile and earthy notes complement game and grilled meats.

## Wine making process

The 2017 Palermo is a still red wine produced in Napa Valley, USA. The winemaking process involves sourcing grapes from various sub-regions to create a representative blend, primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon. Following harvest, the wine undergoes fermentation, though specific details on vessels or yeast are not provided. It is then aged for 12 months, with 38% of the barrels being new French oak, a technique that imparts structure and complexity. The producer, Orin Swift Cellars, founded by David Swift Phinney, focuses on crafting opulent and distinctive wines that express their terroir.