Machete 2016: Orin Swift’s Liquid Midnight
In the world of California wine, few producers blur the line between art, attitude, and hedonistic pleasure quite like Dave Phinney. Through his boundary-pushing label Orin Swift Cellars, Phinney built a cult following by doing something deceptively simple: find the best fruit and don’t screw it up.
Founded in 1998, Orin Swift quickly became a lightning rod for collectors, trendsetters, and adventurous drinkers who wanted more than just another Napa red. Phinney had already shaken the wine world with The Prisoner, and with Orin Swift he pushed even further—melding bold winemaking with provocative, gallery-worthy labels and a philosophy that celebrates both craft and creativity.
One bottle that perfectly captures that spirit is Machete 2016.
This is not a quiet wine.
This is a wine with presence.
The Blend: A Bold California Mosaic
Unlike many traditional Napa wines that lean on a single dominant grape, Machete embraces the freedom of blending. The 2016 vintage is built primarily around Petite Sirah, supported by Syrah and Grenache—a trio that delivers both power and personality.
Petite Sirah provides the backbone: deep color, muscular structure, and dense black-fruit intensity. Syrah layers in savory spice and aromatic depth, while Grenache softens the edges with lush red fruit and a rounded mouthfeel.
The fruit is sourced from premium vineyard sites across California, including areas tied to Napa Valley, giving the wine both richness and regional complexity. The result is a blend that feels bold yet deliberate—powerful but never clumsy.
First Impressions: Liquid Midnight
Pour Machete 2016 into the glass and the visual impact is immediate.
The wine shows a deep ruby core that fades into an almost inky purple, hinting at the concentration within. It moves slowly in the glass, thick legs trailing down the bowl like dark velvet.
It looks less like a simple red wine and more like liquid midnight.
Tasting Notes: Power with Polish
Aromatics
The nose opens with a bold rush of dark fruit before unfolding into deeper, more layered complexity.
You’ll find aromas of:
Black plum
Blackberry compote
Dark cherry
As the wine breathes, secondary notes emerge:
Cocoa powder
Cracked black pepper
Licorice
Vanilla bean
Underneath it all lies a subtle earthy backbone—cedar, toasted espresso, and dark chocolate—adding intrigue and depth.
The bouquet is rich and dramatic, yet surprisingly composed.
Palate
On the palate, Machete delivers exactly what Orin Swift fans crave: plush texture and unapologetic flavor.
The entry is lush and generous, bursting with ripe blackberry and plum. As the wine expands across the mid-palate, layers of cocoa nib, baking spice, and dark chocolate begin to unfold.
Hints of graphite and pepper add dimension, preventing the wine from tipping into excess sweetness.
The structure is full-bodied and broad, with velvety tannins that give the wine its signature plush feel. Despite its richness, the balance remains impressive—intense but controlled.
Finish
The finish lingers long after the last sip.
Dark chocolate, toasted oak, black pepper, and dried fruit echo on the palate, carried by firm yet polished tannins. It’s the kind of finish that invites contemplation—and another pour.
Style: Modern California in Full Voice
Machete 2016 exemplifies what many wine lovers adore about modern California blends: opulent fruit, polished structure, and immediate drinkability.
It’s expressive, bold, and unapologetically stylish.
Yet beneath the swagger lies craftsmanship. This isn’t just a wine designed to impress—it’s a wine built with intention and balance.
Pairing Possibilities
With its intensity and richness, Machete pairs beautifully with equally bold dishes.
Try it with grilled ribeye, smoked brisket, braised short ribs, or lamb chops seasoned with rosemary and cracked pepper. The wine’s dark fruit and spice also complement barbecue sauces and smoky flavors exceptionally well.
For the adventurous, a square of dark chocolate alongside a final sip can be a surprisingly satisfying match.
Why Collectors Love Orin Swift
Beyond the wine itself, Orin Swift bottles have become icons of contemporary wine culture.
Collectors are drawn to the brand for several reasons:
Striking, avant-garde label designs
Consistent quality across vintages
Bold, recognizable winemaking style
Bottles that feel as much like art pieces as beverages
Each release captures the same ethos: break the rules, but never compromise the wine.
Final Pour
Some wines whisper elegance.
Some wines impress quietly.
Machete 2016 kicks the door open.
It’s bold, seductive, and a little dangerous—dark fruit wrapped in velvet tannins with a pulse of spice and power underneath. A wine that feels confident enough to stare back at you from the glass.
It’s liquid midnight.
A sucker punch of flavor.
A bottle with attitude and intention.
In other words:
Welcome to Orin Swift.
