Orin Swift Mercury Head Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 750ml

Product Info

Terroir
Mercury Head Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from carefully selected vineyards across Napa Valley, drawing fruit from multiple sub-appellations to build depth, power, and complexity. These sites span valley floor and benchland locations, each contributing distinct structural and aromatic elements. Warm daytime temperatures encourage full ripeness and concentration, while cool evening breezes help preserve balance and freshness.

The soils vary from gravelly alluvium to volcanic and loamy compositions, providing excellent drainage and naturally limiting vine vigor. This diversity of terroir allows for a layered expression of Cabernet Sauvignon, combining dark fruit richness with structure and textural polish. The 2023 vintage delivered ripe, expressive fruit with supple tannins, ideal for Orin Swift’s signature bold yet refined house style.

Winemaking & Technical Notes
Mercury Head is crafted with a meticulous blending approach, emphasizing richness, seamless texture, and dramatic presence. Grapes are harvested at optimal maturity and fermented in temperature-controlled vessels to preserve fruit intensity while ensuring complete phenolic development.

The wine is aged in French oak barrels, a significant portion of which are new, lending depth, structure, and integrated spice. Extended élevage allows the wine to harmonize fruit, tannin, and oak, resulting in a plush yet controlled mouthfeel. Each lot is evaluated individually before blending, ensuring consistency and precision in the final wine.

Tasting Notes
The 2023 Mercury Head opens with an opulent and immediately captivating bouquet. Aromas of black cherry, cassis, and ripe blackberry are layered with notes of dark chocolate, espresso, and vanilla bean. As the wine opens, secondary nuances of graphite, cedar, and sweet tobacco emerge, adding complexity and dimension.

On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and richly textured, delivering concentrated flavors of black plum, blueberry compote, and cocoa-dusted cherry. The tannins are dense yet finely polished, providing structure without austerity. Well-integrated acidity keeps the wine from feeling heavy, allowing its richness to remain balanced and focused.

The finish is long, powerful, and lingering, marked by dark fruit, baking spice, and subtle oak-driven sweetness. The overall impression is one of intensity and confidence, showcasing Orin Swift’s hallmark style of bold expression paired with refined execution.

Food Pairing & Service
Orin Swift “Mercury Head” Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 pairs best with richly flavored dishes. It complements dry-aged ribeye, braised short ribs, and grilled lamb, as well as hearty preparations featuring mushrooms, truffle, or black pepper. Aged cheeses and dark chocolate–accented dishes also highlight the wine’s depth and texture.

Serve at 60–65°F (16–18°C) in a large Bordeaux-style glass. Decanting for 60–90 minutes is recommended to allow the wine to fully open and integrate. While approachable in its youth, this Cabernet Sauvignon has the structure to age gracefully over 8–12 years, developing additional savory and tertiary complexity over time.