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Quite possibly our final offering as Gallo is changing their UK distribution operation for their fine wine portfolio. Fundamentally, they are unable to provide an effective service which is acceptable to wine merchants which, and after several years of working with them, we can attest to.
This year has been the worst by far. To provide you with a flavour of the problems; circa 50-cases went missing from our recent Clarendon Hills shipment and we were not advised of this until they issued their revised invoice (never to be found, by the way), incorrect labels being placed on the wrong wine, (which is a first for me), their inability to communicate effectively, and save for one – every other delivery has failed to show-up on the date it was booked in for. Last week was a case in point. I was meeting their UK VP for a meeting in London to discuss the past and future however, I postponed the meeting as my forklift skills were required to unload a large Gallo order. Ironically, they failed to show-up until 9:00am the following day (and a six-pack of Mercury Head was AWOL)… You couldn’t make it up. That said, their new UK, VP has ensured all customers are appropriately compensated as he recognises everyone’s reputations are at risk… For this, we are most grateful.
Gallo’s answer is to move everything across to one, national distributor (the majority already sits with them). The downside will be in a significant increase in our cost prices as we will be expected to pay their middle-man’s percentage (circa 20%). I have also been informed that next year’s allocations are super-small and to expect a significant cost increase. All-in-all, adding Gallo’s price increase and their distributors profit margins together, equates to hefty price increases.
Until now, we were happy to sit on significant stock volumes however, we would not take the risk with their new proposal for 2023. Granted, we can purchase to fulfil orders only however, I wonder if Orin Swift will sell with a 25-30 percent increase? For now, we offer our remaining stocks, including every available bottle of the 97-point Frei Brothers Merlot which we scooped-up. All wines are sitting at our HQ and are ready to be dispatched. There are a few incentives too (see Papillon and Abstract). Our Palermo allocation has sold-out, and Mercury Head is down to a dozen-or-so bottles at £105.00 per bottle (other UK merchants are listing this wine at £140.00 to £155.00 which provides a flavour of what to expect next year).
Cheers, Stu
Decanter’s 97 point
award winning Merlot
Frei Brothers Sonoma Reserve Merlot 2018
Buy 12 bottles and pay just £15.95 per bottle -
discount will be applied automatically at checkout
97 Points – Decanter “Nicely perfumed with layers of red floral elements and a spectrum of just-ripe red fruits. Big, succulent black fruit on the velvety soft and mouthcoating palate, with a wonderful textural element. Very inviting and charming.”
Orin Swift Papillon (6x75cl) plus a bottle of
Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon FREE
Receive a free bottle of 2018 Louis Martini (RRP £38.50) when you purchase six bottles of 2019 Orin Swift Papillon
A true five-varietal Bordeaux blend is hard to find anywhere in the world. But lucky for us, we’ve been able to source all five across the Napa Valley to produce one of our flagship wines. From the mountain tops of Atlas Peak to the gravelly soils of St. Helena and everywhere in between, the resulting blend elicits a dialectic found on the label: a butterfly may be delicate and elegant while the hands of a farmer are anything but. Similarly, the sensory introduction to Papillon is overwhelming and breathtaking; yet, as the wine opens, it transforms slowly into a wine of elegance and opulence in one. It is truly the epitome of our style of winemaking.
£359.70 per case of six – Plus a FREE bottle
Also available by the bottle
£59.95
Orin Swift Abstract California Red Wine 2020
Special 6+1 Case
Receive a seventh bottle of 2020 Orin Swift Abstract when you buy a case of six bottles
Dave Phinney – “At Orin Swift, we have been fortunate to have access to a wide range of vineyards across California. Luckily, this diversity of sources meant that the horrific fires of 2020 spared most of our fruit. Carefully tasted, tested and tasted again, we made sure any lots included in our 2020 wines were free of smoke taint. Abstract being one of our largest blends, we were diligent with the process of evaluating the wines; a patchwork of individual lots that retain some of their character but meld seamlessly together—like the collage—is why this wine is always a team favorite.
The 2020 Abstract pours a neon purple splash and an opaque maroon core with dark aromatics upfront. Black plum, boysenberry and hints of bing cherry and lavender invite a taste. On the palate, the aromatics turn into the sense of taste along with a touch of dark chocolate and reduced blackberry. Supple drying tannins and a slight chalky texture close the wine with a calming finish."
£222.00 per case (7x75cl)
Also available by the bottle
£37.00
Orin Swift Mercury Head Napa Valley
Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Only 14 bottles available
£105.00 per bottle
Winemaker Notes - "The upfront aromatics of the wine transports one to the Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards listed above during harvest; notes of ripe and crunchy blackcurrant means it’s almost time to pick. The nose of the 2019 Mercury Head has a concentrated dose of that aroma along with some redcurrant, fresh thyme, sandalwood and garrigue. Profound, yet classic, the palate expresses blackberry and raspberry preserves, a touch of rhubarb and toffee with some black tea and licorice accents. A final hint of chocolate covered espresso bean and ultra-soft tannins frames the extensive finish."
Orin Swift Machete California Red Wine 2019
Winemaker Notes - "A black inky core with a luminous neon purple rim, the 2019 Machete opens with aromas of dark plum, violet, crushed gravel, black pepper and a touch of clove. Flooding the palate with notes of blueberry, chocolate covered espresso bean and a reduction of blackberry. A marbled leather texture accompanies the prolonged tannic finish with energetic acidity."
Orin Swift 8 Years in the Desert 2020
Dave Phinney "Bright violet in the glass, the 2020 8 Years in the Desert is the epitome of our style, the reason we are even here in the first place. As it’s being poured, the aromatics hit squarely on the nose with a perception of sweetness: pure brambly raspberry juice and blueberry preserves with a hint of white pepper and High Sierra forest floor. Yet, the perceived sweetness on the nose is just that, perceived, and doesn’t carry through to the palate. Lush and enveloping with a beam of acidity, notes of blackberry pie, plum and kirsch flourish. Ultra-round tannins and lingering raspberry, the wine finishes in slow-motion."
L'usine Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2018
Winemaker’s Notes - "Glowing from the glass with a crimson core and a pale blush on the rim, the 2018 Sta. Rita Hills opens with whispers of fresh pomegranate seeds, strawberry gelato, crème fraiche and fig leaf. The palate is layered and round exhibiting notes of strawberry preserves, redcurrant and rhubarb crisp. Slight oak tannins present themselves on the finish coupled with a hint of lemon, pepper brine."
L'usine Sleepy Hollow Pinot Noir 2018
£70.00 per bottle
Only 19 bottles available
Winemaker’s Notes - "Sitting just above the wine’s surface, a layer of complex aromas evolves: fresh cranberry, pomegranate and raspberry that turns into crushed gravel, coast redwood forest floor, lemon zest and shiitake mushroom. In the mouth, the wine shows itself as indulgent with a pleasing depth and slight heft; similar cranberry, a touch of blue fruits and hints of lavender combine for a satiating richness. The wine closes with notes of brioche and strawberry tart, with very little tannin and a quenching, balanced acidity."
L'usine Annapolis Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018
£85.00 per bottle
Only 21 bottles available
Winemaker’s Notes - "Clearly the darkest of the three wines, the 2018 Annapolis Ridge Vineyard shows a dark garnet core with a neon cardinal rim. Aromatically, the wine offers notes of clove, cola and sweet black cherry. On the palate, prominent acidity takes over and assists by throwing wild blueberry, olallieberry and freshly picked tarragon across the tongue. The finish is framed by an intriguing texture of soft velvet and dust paired with crisp acidity indicative of its aging potential."
Offer ends Monday 5th December at 9.00am
65% of the stock already sold
Award winning Argentinian Malbec, exclusively available to order now
97 Points – Platinum award – Decanter “Intensely perfumed, with a pretty nose of lifted violet, delicate raspberry and plush black cherry, while the vibrant palate is graced with cedar, thyme, lush plum, a refined mineral tension and ends on a perfumed, long finish. Very good!”
* Delivery expected week commencing 9th January *
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