2024 Advice From John by Orin Swift Merlot, California

The 2024 Advice From John is Orin Swift’s take on bringing Merlot back into the spotlight, built around the grape’s naturally rich, generous character and sourced from premier vineyards across Northern California. The wine is designed to be bold, immediately expressive and highly approachable, with the 2024 vintage described by Orin Swift as showing both intensity and richness while retaining remarkable drinkability and finesse. The irreverent label comes from a photograph of bathroom-wall artwork found in a Texas dive bar and created part of a larger project by Samantha Smith, Dave Phinney’s longtime assistant, that inspired the Advice From John book and wine.

The wine opens with blackberry pie, black plum, sage and lilac, followed by a concentrated wave of dark fruit accented by savory fennel and licorice. Espresso bean and blackberry persist through the finish, framed by gentle, soft tannins. It is aged for 8 months in French oak, with 25% new oak, adding warmth and toast while keeping the dark-fruited Merlot character at the center. The 14.9% alcohol and full-bodied profile give it a rich, substantial presence without losing the easy-drinking quality that Orin Swift emphasizes for this vintage.