94 Points - Tim Atkin MW. From the cooler, windswept slopes of Stellenbosch’s Rondekop hill, the 2022 Stone Axe Syrah is Oldenburg’s flagship Syrah. Elegantly powerful, with rich dark fruit, peppery spice, and a mineral lift, it has earned 94 points, showcasing both immediate appeal and ageworthy structure. Taste The 2022 Stone Axe Syrah shows concentrated aromas of blackberry, blueberry, and plum, layered with notes of black pepper, smoked meat, and graphite. Cooler-climate conditions give the

93 Points - Decanter. After an enforced eight-year break in the early 2010s, where they were prohibited from making Zinfandel, Orin Swift Cellars delved into various grape varieties in California to great success. The 2021 vintage of Eight Years in the Desert is the fifth instalment of a rare and cherished wine. This exceptional Zinfandel boasts a deep maroon core and opens with captivating aromas of wild blackberry, pepper, oatmeal raisin cookie, forest floor, bay leaf, and spices. The taste is

92 Points - Decanter. Orin Swift Abstract is a meticulously crafted red wine known for its rich and complex character. It is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Petite Sirah, creating a harmonious symphony of flavours. The wine exhibits a deep, visually striking hue and a captivating aroma profile that ranges from fruity to floral, with subtle notes of dark chocolate and spice. On the palate, it offers a full-bodied experience with robust tannins and a bold, fruit-forward taste. The finish is long a

91 Points - Wine Spectator.Dave Phinney doesn’t make wines that whisper — even his Sauvignon Blanc has something to say. Blank Stare takes a grape known for its precision and dresses it in Californian attitude. A portion fermented in oak adds depth and texture, while fruit from Sonoma and the Russian River Valley keeps things bright and racy. It’s Sauvignon with swagger — bold, aromatic and just the right side of indulgent. Vivino Rating 4.0 (Sept 2025) Wine Press Ratings 91 Points - Wine Specta

92 Points - Decanter. Orin Swift Machete, an iconic Californian red, artfully blends Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Grenache from Napa and Sonoma, aged for 10 months in French oak for vanilla-spiced depth; and layer upon layer of complexity. A full-bodied lover's delight with dominant dark fruit aromas, raspberry-plum-chocolate flavours, medium tannins, and a smooth, lasting finish—perfectly paired with grilled meats, cheese, and charcuterie. Vivino Rating: 4.2 (Mar 2025) Wine Press Ratings 92 Points

94 Points - The Wine Independent. Dave Phinney doesn’t really do subtlety — and Mannequin is a classic example of that unashamed Californian swagger. This is Chardonnay dialled up to eleven: bold, textured and unapologetically hedonistic. Sourced from some of Napa and Sonoma’s best sites, it’s a wine that manages to marry power and polish without ever tipping into excess. Think of it as California sunshine in liquid form — but with the complexity and balance that Phinney’s meticulous blending al

Mercury Head Cabernet Sauvignon is the flagship wine of Orin Swift and emphasises their guiding principle: Without quality grapes, great wine is impossible. It comes from the best lots from very select vineyards in Napa Valley and the wine is a testament to those vineyards, to their principle and to what is possible in Napa Valley. The Liberty Dime on each bottle symbolises winemaker Dave Phinney's favorite coin in his collection growing up and his most prized possession. Vivino Rating: 4.5 (Jul

Orin Swift Palermo, a captivating blend with a core of Cabernet Sauvignon that mirrors Napa Valley's spirit, unfolding intense aromas of dark fruit and blackberry pie, leading to a velvety palate of black cherry, vanilla, and spice, all embraced by seamlessly integrated tannins, delivering a gratifying finish - making it your ideal companion for hearty delights like grilled steak or braised beef, sure to leave a lasting impression on your wine journey. Vivino Rating: 4.5 (Oct 2024) Tasting Note

94 Points - The Wine Independent. It's rare to find a wine from the Napa Valley composed of all five Bordeaux-style varietals. But, for many years, that has been Papillon's focus. The raw strength and prestige of Cabernet Sauvignon buttressed by the opulence of Merlot, the spiciness of Cabernet Franc, the depth of Malbec and the sheet unctuousness of Petit Verdot come together seamlessly. Vivino Rating: 4.3 (Mar 2025) Wine Press Ratings 94 Points - The Wine Independent (2021 Vintage) 90 Points -

Sourced from some of the best sites in California, Sourced, Rancho Real, Annapolis, Del Rio, Laguna to name a few, the 2022 Slander is an example of great winemaking and the sum being greater than its parts. Bright and enveloping on the entry, notes of fresh strawberry, watermelon, thyme and a hint of funk come through. Spicy on the finish, the wine closes with a flash of blue fruits and lift. Vivino Rating: 4.2 (Jul 2024) Taste The 2022 Slander delivers a medium ruby core with a lucid rim that’

A refined and expressive take on South Africa’s iconic varietal, with a captivating nose of blueberry, raspberry, and violet, complemented by subtle dark chocolate and toasted almond notes, this Pinotage offers both vibrancy and elegance. The palate is smooth and well-structured, showcasing vibrant fruit and a lively, youthful finish. A beautifully balanced wine that highlights the best of Pinotage in its purest form. Vivino Rating 4.3 (March 2025) Taste A complex aromatic profile, beginning wit

Crafted from old, dry-farmed bush vines, this Chenin Blanc is a pure expression of South Africa’s winemaking legacy. Sourced from select vineyard sites, it captures the balance of richness and freshness that defines great Chenin. Aromas of ripe pear, quince, and white peach lead to a textured palate with citrus zest, baked apple, and a refined mineral finish. Aged in a combination of oak and stainless steel, it offers depth, vibrancy, and a lingering elegance. Vivino Rating 4.2 (March 2025) Tast

96 Points - Guia Penin. Capitel is the flagship wine from the magnificent Ossian Vides y Vinos, arguably Spain’s greatest white wine producer. The Capitel is made from the estate’s oldest vines, some of which are believed to be 200 years old, from a tiny, organically farmed plot at Peña Aguda, in Nieva.  Over the years, the roots have penetrated the slate sheets beneath the surface and extracted a rich mineral strength from them.  This packs the tiny berries with concentration and complexity. On

95 Points - Robert Parker. Capitel is the flagship wine from the magnificent Ossian Vides y Vinos, arguably Spain’s greatest white wine producer. The Capitel is made from the estate’s oldest vines, some of which are believed to be 200 years old, from a tiny, organically farmed plot at Peña Aguda, in Nieva.  Over the years, the roots have penetrated the slate sheets beneath the surface and extracted a rich mineral strength from them.  This packs the tiny berries with concentration and complexity.

Ossian is one of Spain’s greatest white wines.  Remarkably, it is made from pre-phylloxera vines that are between 100 and 200 years old, and its levels of concentration and complexity have made many a wine lover and critic revise their opinions of Spanish white wines.  Having been hand-picked, the tiny, organically farmed grapes are transported to the state-of-the-art winery for fermentation.  The wine is then matured in oak vats in the coolness of the old Monastery of El Parral, during which ti

95 Points - Guia Penin. Ossian is one of Spain’s greatest white wines. Remarkably, it is made from pre-phylloxera vines that are between 100 and 200 years old, and its levels of concentration and complexity have made many a wine lover and critic revise their opinions of Spanish white wines. Having been hand-picked, the tiny, organically farmed grapes are transported to the state-of-the-art winery for fermentation. The wine is then matured in oak vats in the coolness of the old Monastery of El Pa