Orin Swift Cellars Orin Swift Cellars Palermo 2022 750ml

A luscious, dark-berry center is surrounded by plush tannins and a full body in this broad, rather tannic but soothing wine. Dark chocolate, cocoa and baked blueberries give a lot of mouthfilling satisfaction as you sip. (Jim Gordon)

A vibrant red, with a tasty burst of boysenberry and blackberry compote notes leading the way. Displaying singed alder, cocoa, tobacco and licorice snap elements, this offers enough energy to keep the finish going. Drink now through 2034. 24,400 cases made. (James Molesworth)

The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Palermo is sourced from various sites in Napa Valley and also includes 5% Zinfandel and 3% Petite Sirah. It's faintly leafy but also boasts lovely cherry fruit and a hint of blueberries on the nose, while the palate is full-bodied and softly dusty, with ample length to the mouthwatering finish. For a big, bold Napa Cab, it's a reasonable value that presages the eye-popping quality of the 2023 vintage. (Joe Czerwinski)

Traditionally, Palermo included wine that didn’t make it into Mercury Head or Papillon, but winemaker Dave Phinney now buys some fruit specifically targeted for this bottling. The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Palermo — a blend of estate-grown and purchased fruit aged 11 months in 34% new oak — includes small proportions of Merlot and Malbec. Offering up cherries, cassis and slightly earthy scents, plus hints of cinnamon and nutmeg on the nose, it’s full-bodied and nicely balanced, with its firmness matched by softness. It’s just a nice drink overall.

Originally, Palermo was composed of whatever Cabernet Sauvignon didn't make its way into Mercury Head, but now it is a separate program, although it does include press wine from all of Orin Swift's Cabernet lots. The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Palermo features gentle herbal nuances, redcurrants and cherries on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is soft, velvety and warm.

This delivers a gush of soft-edged boysenberry and blackberry preserve notes, followed by a gloss of roasted vanilla and melted licorice on the finish. Shows weight and flesh but is shy on form. For fans of the style. Drink now through 2026. 37,000 cases made.