Orin Swift Sign of the Times Red Blend

Orin Swift Sign of the Times Red Blend is a California red wine blending Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Grenache at 14.9% ABV in a 750ml bottle. This multi-varietal expression earned 94 points from Decanter, reflecting the ambition behind winemaker Dave Phinney's vision for a layered, dark-fruited California red that balances power with aromatic complexity.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.9%  |  Origin: California, USA  |  Red Blend  |  Winery: Orin Swift Cellars

Production & Heritage

Orin Swift Cellars was founded in 1998 by Dave Phinney, who built the brand's reputation on bold, artistically driven California wines. Sign of the Times brings together Cabernet Sauvignon for structure, Petite Sirah for depth and color, and Grenache for bright red-fruit character and floral lift. The blend spends eight months in French oak—28% of which is new—giving the wine measured oak influence without overwhelming its fruit core. The label itself stands out in Phinney's portfolio: he trained an AI model on his own past artwork, then collaborated with the model in an iterative back-and-forth process, with each generated image manipulated and finished by hand.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with concentrated black plum and blackcurrant before shifting into dried rose petal, violet, and a thread of incense. Beneath the fruit sits a mineral suggestion of wet slate that adds an intriguing savory dimension.

Taste: The entry is rich with blue fruits and cassis, meeting dark chocolate and graphite at the mid-palate. Grenache's red-fruited brightness weaves through the heavier elements, while sweet oak and a whisper of licorice emerge toward the peak. Well-integrated tannins keep the wine approachable in its youth without sacrificing textural grip.

Finish: Long and satisfying, carried by a firm spine of tangy blood orange acidity and lingering notes of leather and dark chocolate. The balancing acidity on the close suggests some aging potential beyond immediate drinking.

How to Drink Sign of the Times

This blend rewards time in a large-bowled glass at cellar temperature or slightly below room temperature; decanting for 30 minutes opens up the floral and mineral layers considerably. While primarily a wine for the table, it also works in wine-forward cocktails: a Kalimotxo, where the blend's dark fruit and acidity hold their own against cola's sweetness; a New York Sour, floated over the top of a bourbon sour as a rich, fruited crown; or a bold Sangria, where the cassis and plum notes marry naturally with citrus, stone fruit, and a splash of brandy.

Best For

• Gifting a wine lover who appreciates bold California reds with artistic presentation
• Pairing with a grilled ribeye or braised short rib dinner
• Adding a conversation-starting bottle to a curated tasting lineup
• Exploring Orin Swift's range beyond their flagship Prisoner or Mercury Head releases

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Sign of the Times taste like? Sign of the Times delivers concentrated dark fruit—black plum, cassis, and blue berry—layered with dark chocolate, graphite, violet, and a mineral streak reminiscent of wet slate. Tangy blood orange acidity and well-integrated tannins give the wine structure without harshness.

How does Sign of the Times compare to Orin Swift Abstract Red? Both are California red blends from Dave Phinney, but Abstract leans on Grenache and Syrah as its backbone, producing a slightly more fruit-forward, spice-driven profile. Sign of the Times is led by Cabernet Sauvignon, giving it firmer tannins, deeper graphite and dark chocolate notes, and a more structured palate overall.

Is Sign of the Times good for sipping on its own? Yes—the blend's balance of concentrated fruit, integrated tannins, and bright acidity makes it enjoyable as a standalone pour, especially after a short decant to let the floral and mineral aromatics develop fully.

Where is Sign of the Times made? Sign of the Times is produced by Orin Swift Cellars in California, founded in 1998 by winemaker Dave Phinney. The fruit is sourced from California vineyards and the wine is aged in French oak barrels.

What foods pair well with Sign of the Times? Grilled lamb chops complement the wine's dark fruit and graphite; aged cheddar or Gruyère echo the sweet oak notes; braised beef short ribs mirror the rich, layered palate; mushroom risotto highlights the earthy, mineral streak; and dark chocolate desserts extend the cocoa and leather finish.

What sizes does Sign of the Times come in? Sign of the Times is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Sign of the Times worth the price? Sign of the Times positions as a premium California red blend, sitting in the upper tier of Orin Swift's portfolio. Its 94-point Decanter score, three-varietal complexity, and French oak aging represent strong value relative to comparably rated California Cabernet-driven blends.

Why Sign of the Times?

A 94-point Decanter rating anchors this wine's credibility in a crowded California red blend market. The Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Grenache combination is deliberately calibrated—Cabernet provides the tannic framework, Petite Sirah adds concentration and inky depth, and Grenache injects the bright red fruit and floral aromatics that keep the wine from becoming one-dimensional. Eight months in French oak (28% new) adds polish without masking the fruit, and the pronounced mineral character—wet slate and graphite—distinguishes Sign of the Times from softer, fruit-bomb blends in the category. It is a wine with genuine personality, from the AI-collaborative label art to the structured, age-worthy liquid inside.