July 15, 2010

2008 The Prisoner

Gladly Taken Prisoner

Orin Swift Cellars is new.

I don’t mean “new” like they were just formed yesterday, or this is their first vintage, or even that you probably haven’t heard of them. They weren’t, the first release of The Prisoner was the 2003 vintage, and it’s entirely likely that you have.

What I mean is that they’re nouveau. They’re young, and vibrant, and current, and modern. Exciting and interesting, doing things and saying things.

Winery honcho/winemaker/jefe Dave Phinney likes him some zinfandel. The first wine he released under the Orin Swift Cellars name was the 2003 Prisoner, a zinfandel-based blend of some incredible Napa juice. The latest vintage is no different.

The 2008 Prisoner is 46% zinfandel, 26% cabernet sauvignon, 15% syrah, 10% petite sirah, 2% charbono, and 1% grenache. The main players, in my opinion, are the first three, and before you read on you should probably try to think, for a second, what a zinfandel/cab sauv/syrah blend might be like.

Ready?

If your first thought was “big,” you get a gold friggin’ star.

Luckily for me, and everyone else who’s had the fortune of drinking the 2008 Prisoner, “big” is not the only appropriate descriptor here. Fruit-forward, balanced, acidic, earthy all work as well. So, the notes, then?

The wine is dark as night in the core of the glass, and lightens to a bright ruby red at the edges. The nose is lush with sweet cherries and darker, richer blackberries, plus a hint of tobacco or cigar box aromas. It smells rich. It smells like it’s not about to fuck around.

The Prisoner is a full-bodied wine that really coats your mouth. Here is an actual note I wrote in my notebook:

Tannin structure out the ass

This, I assure you, should be translated as “lots of structure.” The tannins aren’t rough or overpowering, though. Raspberry and cherry do a little dance, make a little love, and get down with a nicely-balanced earthiness and acidity that just makes itself known on the mid-palate. The lingering finish of cherries keeps you coming back for more.

I say god damn, this is some tasty wine.

The Prisoner has gained a cult following, and it is deserved. This latest vintage is a great example of California red blends done well, and for around $30 a bottle it won’t take your pocketbook captive.

Verdict: 95/100

2008 The Prisoner

http://topsy.com/notesfromthecellar.com/2010/07/gladly-taken-prisoner/?utm_source=pingback&utm_campaign=L2 Tweets that mention Gladly Taken Prisoner | Notes From The Cellar — Topsy.com

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Steve Paulo, Wine Lover. Wine Lover said: Gladly Taken Prisoner: 2008 The Prisoner Orin Swift Cellars is new. I don’t mean “new” like the… http://bit.ly/bNHDDx (via @StevePaulo) [...]
http://drinknectar.com Josh Wade

Wow, $30 for that bottle! Uhhh – where do I get it! Why didn't you bring some to Walla2?

Josh
drinknecar
http://notesfromthecellar.com Steve Paulo

Two reasons: (1) I did a horrible, horrible job of planning ahead, (2) I didn't want to check any bags because financially, I was scraping the barrel to go on the trip at all, and (3) I just had this wine for the first time on Tuesday. OK, three reasons.
lindsayronga

“tannin structure out the ass” <- hadn't heard this one before but i like it. and i'd like to try a bottle. i'm in at $30 for one bottle. will let you know what i think of the tannin structure…
http://notesfromthecellar.com Steve Paulo

Would love to hear your thoughts, Lindsay, and thanks for stopping by!
http://twitter.com/wineaccguy Joshua S. Sweeney

I've been getting my palate exercised lately by a ton of big reds. They're really growing on me, and this one has me sold. Hillsborough Wine Company reopens for business tomorrow, and I am stopping there before I leave town to see if they have this guy. If not, I may just cry a little.
http://www.wineheimer.net/ Matt Wineheimer

Nicely done review… I had this wine in a restaurant in Savannah, GA a couple of months ago on a business trip. I remember liking it, but it was in the middle of a bender that started with gin on the rocks and ended with Jager shots… Needless to say, it didn't well, and may have tainted my opinion of the wine…

I usually don't drink like that BTW… it was a wine/spirits distributor trade show that I was in town for…
http://notesfromthecellar.com Steve Paulo

Suuuuure, Matt, whatever you say ;)
http://notesfromthecellar.com Steve Paulo

How are VA shipping laws? The wine is available from a ton of online retailers.
http://twitter.com/FGJ1013 Felipe Gonzalez Jr.

I see this wine at the store all the time but I hesitate to fork over a week's worth of lunch money for it. Next time, fuck it, am getting it – thanks to this post/review.
ZinByTheSea

Definitely must try this now!
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[...] I am a big fan of The Prisoner. This is not news to anyone who previously read my rhapsodic review of the 2008 vintage. If you haven’t, feel free to, either now, or when you’re finished here. [...]
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