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The 2011 Palermo has a dense red/black hue. It has a dark berry and ripe currant nose with rich oak undertones and aged cigar box. The mouth coating huge entry leads into a soft middle with bright acidity. The long finish is broad with ripe tannins and plenty of structure lingering on the palate for 20-30 seconds.

Approximately 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot
Howell Mountain, Oakville, Rutherford, Saint Helena, and Spring Mountain
15.5% Alc./Vol.
Aging: 16 months in French Oak, 30% new

A note from winemaker, Dave Phinney: At Orin Swift we purchase Cabernet Sauvignon grapes for Mercury Head and Papillon. Every year we buy more grapes than we need for the two blends. We do this so we always have multiple vineyards and corresponding wine characteristics to choose from. We also experiment with different grape maturity levels, French barrel producers, and fermentation techniques. This is done to try to learn more with each vintage and create a wine with greater complexity and balance. These multiple lots either add something to the final blend or become their own parts, parts we consider to be separate among equals. We blended these separate but equal parts together in a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon called Palermo.