Hesketh Cruel Intentions Shiraz 2010 - Orin Swift Abstract Napa Valley 2012 WBTG with food pairings at DOC Yorktown Wine Bar
For a casual late night snack, Linda and I tasted two red wines from the WBTG (wine-by-the-glass) offering with a platter of artisan cheeses, pate and bruschetta on the patio at
DOC Yorktown in Lombard.
The food pairings from the Butcher's Plate menu included Old Amsterdam Dutch, Four Year Old Aged Cheddar cheeses, the New York Pate Forestier and the bruschetta with asparagus, prosciutto and reggiano.
The wines selected were Hesketh 'Cruel Intentions' South Australia Shiraz and Orin Swift Abstract Napa Valley Red Wine Blend.
Hesketh 'Cruel Intentions' South Australia Shiraz 2010
Hesketh Wine Company is a small, family owned, South Australian based
producer run by owner and winemaker Jonathon Hesketh who refined his
craft with Wirra Wirra, Moet Chandon and Cloudy Bay. He sources
fruit from several growing regions across South Australia for a
modestly priced White Label line. He also produces Black Label wines
from select vineyards recognized for excellence from the Currency Creek
and McLaren Vale regions on the Fleurieu Peninsula. Each wine is either
single vineyard or sourced from a small selection of specific vineyards
and produced at facilities close by the vineyards for quality and
practicality.
Fruit for this wine comes from the Currency Creek
and McLaren Vale growing regions on the Fleurieu Peninsula in South
Australia.
Cruel Intentions is another whimsical artist label that reflects fun and a sense of humour on behalf of the producer/winemaker.
Dark crimson red color, medium bodied, a slight metallic and mineral layer competes with the ripe plum fruit, tones of anise, vanilla and toast on a moderate tannin finish. A bit disjointed and flabby.
RM 87 points.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1518830
Orin Swift 'Abstract' Napa Valley 2012
The wines of Dave Phinney and
Orin-Swift Cellars are distinctive in their branding and packaging with some of the more intriguing and unique labels and wine names. Perhaps best known for the somewhat macabre “Prisoner” (no longer owned by Dave, although he remains a consultant) and “Papillon” with its stark black and white photograph of rough-hewn
fingers (left), Phinney composes his rather mysterious label designs from a collection to a collage of a variety of photographs.
His wines
are as distinctive as his labels. They tend to be full-flavored, forward, intense, firm structured wines. He mixes a melange of varietals from a variety of appellations and vineyards to form the distinct profile and personality of each label. They are not for the feint of heart.
After graduating college he spent a short time at Robert Mondavi Winery before founding Orin Swift Cellars. From his original release based on purchased Zinfandel grapes, he has added
Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and eventually extended the range to Grenache, Petite Sirah, and Syrah.
Orin Swift recently purchased forty-eight acres in the hills above Oakville to plant and develop. They also recently purchased some vineyards and a winery in the steep hillsides of
the Roussillon, near Maury in the French Pyrénées planted in 60-100 year old Grenache,
with a small percentage of Syrah and Carignane. Commuting between California and France, Dave lives with his wife and children in St. Helena, CA.
I vividly remember taking Orin Swift Napa Valley 2005 Red Wine Blends Papillon and The
Prisoner to a gala team dinner over the holidays back in 2009.
The Prisoner was thick with ripe spicy black berry fruits
predominating. Papillon showed the most complexity,
structure and breadth and depth of flavors - dark, brooding, black
berry, currant, spice, oak, and finely integrated tannins. With this as a backdrop I was interested to try 'Abstract', a blend of Grenache, Petite Sirah, and Syrah from
primarily hillside vineyards in Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino Counties.
Dark garnet purple colored, full bodied, thick and complex, Abstract bursts with aromas and obtuse forward fruit flavors of ripe blackberry, mulberry and hints of blueberry fruits with tones of floral, kirsch, black tea, and bitter
chocolate on a chewy tannin finish.
RM 90 points.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1705920
is comprised of Grenache, Syrah and Petite Sirah and drinks like an
inky, concentratedPetite Sirah blend. Blackberry, dark dark chocolate
with a silky texture - See more at:
http://www.deandeluca.com/wine/red/syrah/orin-swift-abstract-red-2012/?gclid=CjwKEAjw0a2eBRDVrabv9vWJ90USJACsKRDH6B5OhAB6XDVSlzbsYV3x60x_cVKzi5H9JdRZDvi9ARoCq5zw_wcB#sthash.0ItBWrI1.dpuf
my
favorite Red blend that Dave Phinney is making right now. The Prisoner
is a fun-drinking Red but this is a completely different wine. It is
comprised of Grenache, Syrah and Petite Sirah and drinks like an inky,
concentratedPetite Sirah blend. Blackberry, dark dark chocolate with a
silky texture is what this wine offers in the glass. - Kerrin Laz, Wine
Director - See more at:
http://www.deandeluca.com/wine/red/syrah/orin-swift-abstract-red-2012/?gclid=CjwKEAjw0a2eBRDVrabv9vWJ90USJACsKRDH6B5OhAB6XDVSlzbsYV3x60x_cVKzi5H9JdRZDvi9ARoCq5zw_wcB#sthash.0ItBWrI1.dpuf
http://www.orinswift.com/2012Abstract
http://www.docwinebarchicago.com/lombard/
 |
| Plate from earlier visit |
Dark purple - medium - full bodied, the bright lively forward fruits from last tasting two years are starting to diminish and give way to non-fruit flavors. The red berry, ripe plum and spicy cherry are giving way to tones of leather, tobacco leaf, cedar and a layer of anise on a lingering subtle tannin finish. Starting to show its age and reach that chapter of life in this seventeen year old. 
Dark purple - medium - full bodied, the bright lively forward fruits from last tasting two years are starting to diminish and give way to non-fruit flavors. The red berry, ripe plum and spicy cherry are giving way to tones of leather, tobacco leaf, cedar and a layer of anise on a lingering subtle tannin finish. Starting to show its age and reach that chapter of life in this seventeen year old. 
