New Arrivals from Orin SwiftIncluding the full collection of L’usine   Dave Phinney, Napa wine legend and the creative force behind Orin Swift, tells the story of the creation of the L’usine collection. “When one thinks of fine art they most likely envision the Louvre in Paris or the Prado in Madrid. They see the Mona Lisa surrounded by hundreds of tourists or a translator explaining Michelangelo’s motivation as they stare upward to view the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. What one probably doesn’t think of is a factory, or worse yet a factory that is also the gathering place for drag queens and Bohemian rock stars. In fact, it’s most likely the last thing that comes to mind. But Andy Warhol chose to do both. He named his iconic studio “The Factory,” and it became the place for not only drag queens and bohemian rock stars but also the likes of… Warhol is considered to be one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century. His works sell for hundreds of millions of dollars. The Economist described him as the “bellwether of the art market.” All of this created in a “Factory.” The juxtaposition is genius. The humor resonates to this day. “The Factory” may have been one of the most progressive as well as productive art communities of its time. Fine wine like fine art also elicits romantic visions. Vineyards drenched in dappled sunlight or candle lit caves. Grey haired British ladies and gentlemen describing the traits and aromatics of a given wine in the Queen’s best English. Wine like art is raw. It requires years of hard work. It has a high likelihood of failing. It is subjective at best. It isn’t always pretty. Like art, for every good or great wine that is made there have been thousands of failures. I believe Warhol chose the name The Factory to mock the critics and the establishment. To mock the stuffy pretense associated with fine art. By definition a factory churns out product. Art like wine is, but is not, a product. L’usine is the French word for “The Factory.” It is an homage to all the Warhols of the world. All those with disdain for the status quo of a defined or insinuated model. All of those with the defiant nature shared by artists and winemakers past and present. Pablo Picasso said it best. “Good artists borrow, great artists steal” I want to be a thief.” All wines will be despatched Thursday 20th October unless otherwise requested.   2018 L'usine Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir36 Bottles available £45.00 per bottle All six packs are packaged in L’usine’s unique Lucite 6 packs Also available in bond £200.00 (6x75cl) - Only 10 x 6 packs available Dave Phinney - “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.”   2018 L'usine Sleepy Hollow Pinot Noir36 Bottles available £70.00 per bottle All six packs are packaged in L’usine’s unique Lucite 6 packs Also available in bond £345.00 (6x75cl) - Only 10 x 6 packs available Dave Phinney - “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.”   2018 L'usine Annapolis Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir36 Bottles available £85.00 per bottle All six packs are packaged in L’usine’s unique Lucite 6 packs Also available in bond £405.00 - Only 10 x 6 packs available Dave Phinney - “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.”   NEW VINTAGES FROM ORIN SWIFT  2019 Orin Swift Mercury Head Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon£105.00 per bottle Also available in bond £495.95 (6x75cl) Dave Phinney - “Mercury Head is our physical manifestation of history, land and art in a bottle of wine. Each dime has lived through at least 76 years of history while winemaking in the Napa Valley has existed longer. This wine brings those together in a unique way—a synthesis à la Orin Swift. We are extremely fortunate and lucky to have access to vineyards of excellent pedigree . This vintage of Mercury Head is comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon from the Stagecoach, Emerson Day and Morisoli vineyards with a small percentage from the historic Monte Rosso vineyard overlooking Sonoma Valley that was too good to leave out. Together, they combine to create a wine of intensity , nuance and complexity , worthy of our flagship wine. “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.”   2019 Orin Swift Machete California Red Wine£44.50 per bottle Also available in bond £385.00 (12x75cl) Dave Phinney - “The baddest wine of them all, Machete takes no prisoners. It is in your face aromatically, punching your mouth from within. The tannins remind you what it’s like to feel , and the ink will put a smile on your face. Our simple goal with Machete was to elevate Petite Sirah to the main stage and let it express its own attitude. Robust, dominant and unapologetic , the wine creates its own gravity, pulling all towards it. Sourced from across California, the wine is made up of Stagecoach, Dark Horse, Alder Springs, Summer wind, Frei Ranch and Korte Ranch fruit, among other prominent vineyards. 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.” BACK IN STOCK  2018 Orin Swift Papillon Napa Valley Red Wine£57.50 per bottle Only 9 bottles available Dave Phinney – “A neon indigo pours into the glass and sits with a dark garnet core and a lucid cardinal tint. A boisterous nose escapes the glass with aromatics of ripe boysenberry, kirsch, mixed dark berry pie, California Coastal sagebrush and chaparral. Delectable and plush on the palate, notes of blackberry and sweet black licorice culminate in a finish of dusty tannins and ripe black plum.”  BACK IN STOCK – OUR BESTSELLING MERLOT FROM THE GALLO STABLEDecanter World Wine Awards
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