Dave Phinney tarted a winery back in 2000 called Orin Swift and produced wines such as The Prisoner, Saldo, Cuttings, Blindfold and Thorn. In 2010 Phinney sold to Huneeus Vintners for the bargain price of $40 million. In 2016 Huneeus sold the brand to Constellation Brands for an off the charts price of $285 million. Constellation Brands also over paid for Meiomi wines around the same time for $325 million. What do both of these wines have in common. Sweet and not balanced. Here is a Wine Spectator article about the sale.
I have never liked the Prisoner and my notes from the 2007 and 2009 vintage are consistent with my recent samples of this wine.
2007 Orin Swift The Prisoner – USA, California, Napa Valley (11/25/2010)
Not my style with too much heat and over the top spices. Dark fruits, floral and red peppers following. Medium finish. (87 points)
2009 Orin Swift The Prisoner – USA, California, Napa Valley (4/6/2011)
Over ripe mess. Too sweet and not really balanced. Not a fan of the style. (85 points)
These wines are popular which doesn’t say much to the quality. The average wine drinker does not detect the flaws in wine due to their lack of use of the tasting process. The most popular brands (article one, article two) are terrible in America and any educator would be lying if they did not agree with me.
It is scary how consistent I am with my reviews of this Prisoner wine over the years. All my notes indicate a dislike for this style of wine which I sampled the 2017 this past weekend.
2017 Prisoner Wine Company The Prisoner – USA, California, Napa Valley (12/9/2018)
The nose on this is acceptable but the palate awful. When sampled this after tasting 8 well made Syrah/Shiraz wines. Even the host who loves Prisoner found out it is not good in comparison to what we just drank. Palate riper fruit, spice and astringent. Short/Medium finish. Again pass on this over priced mess. (81 points)
Other Orin Swift/Prisoner Wine Company Tasting Notes
2011 Prisoner Wine Company Saldo – USA, California (11/1/2013)
Hennepin Lake’s Annual Tasting (Tons of Napa Cabs); 10/30/2013-11/2/2013: Never a fan of Orin Swift and this didn’t change anything. Over ripe and sweet oak. Dust on the finish. Should cost $15. (87 points)
Hennepin Lake Tasting Notes on Orin Swift/Prisoner Wine Company Wines
I had the fortune (meaning did not buy them and waste money) of trying Prisoner wines and Orin Swift wines at the Hennepin Lake Tasting and I did not enjoy any of them especially at the price points. One women tried to convince me that it must be good because one of the wine cost over a $100. My response to the Mercury Head, “84 points!”
2015 Orin Swift Cabernet Sauvignon Mercury Head – USA, California, Napa Valley (10/13/2018)
Hennepin Lake Tasting 2018; 10/11/2018-10/14/2018 (Minneapolis, MN): This wine is a mess. Ripe fruit and not balanced. It is amazing how these wines get the press they do. Who is paying who off. No thanks!!! One user quoted Parker with a 95 and no tasting notes. Wow! (84 points)
2014 Prisoner Wine Company Thorn – USA, California, Napa Valley (10/11/2018)
Hennepin Lake Tasting 2018; 10/11/2018-10/14/2018 (Minneapolis, MN): Guys don’t take this personally. I will not add you favorite wine tasters on cellar tracker. This is jam wine. Sweet and no acidity. I hate Prisoner wines. (83 points)
2015 Prisoner Wine Company Saldo – USA, California (10/11/2018)
Hennepin Lake Tasting 2018; 10/11/2018-10/14/2018 (Minneapolis, MN): Another bad wine. Sweet and not balanced. Who pays this much for bad wine??????????? I like balance but this wine shows some people will pay more to drink syrup wines. (83 points)
2016 Orin Swift Mannequin – USA, California, Napa Valley (10/11/2018)
Hennepin Lake Tasting 2018; 10/11/2018-10/14/2018 (Minneapolis, MN): These guys are trying to Chardonnay. Wow. Honey suckles, big and no acidity. This is awful stuff. (83 points)
2015 Prisoner Wine Company The Prisoner – USA, California, Napa Valley (10/11/2018)
Hennepin Lake Tasting 2018; 10/11/2018-10/14/2018 (Minneapolis, MN): I HATE THESE WINES! Hot, hot and hot. Is this an 80’s song. Some ripe fruit and no acidity. If you like these wines great but don’t show up to my tastings. These are not balanced. (80 points)
2017 Orin Swift Zinfandel 8 Years in the Desert – USA, California (10/11/2018)
Hennepin Lake Tasting 2018; 10/11/2018-10/14/2018 (Minneapolis, MN): Terrible wine. One of the worst wines of the year candidate. If you are into Orin Swift wines you slam them and don’t smell and move the wine in your mouth. Overripe fruit and not acidity. I am not sure how a pro critic could give this above an 85. I will take over for you if you did. (82 points)
Who Would Like These Wines?
Not me as I like my wines to be balanced and not full of residual sugar. If you enjoy them at least buy them on sale please. France 44 has it at $57.99, Total Wine $37.97 and Morell’s $31.97.
I agree with your assessment. They are terrible wines.
Fred true indeed.