Orin Swift D66 Garnacha 2016

Orin Swift D66 Garnacha 2016 is a 750ml, 15.2% ABV red wine from the Côtes Catalanes in southern France, blending 80% Grenache with 20% Syrah from 60-plus-year-old vines. This vintage earned 95 points from both Wine Advocate and Jeb Dunnuck, along with 93 points from Wine Spectator — placing it among the most critically acclaimed expressions in winemaker Dave Phinney's portfolio.

Quick Facts: ABV: 15.2%  |  Origin: Côtes Catalanes, France  |  Vintage: 2016  |  Producer: Orin Swift Cellars (Dave Phinney)

Production & Heritage

Dave Phinney — the winemaker behind The Prisoner and the broader Orin Swift label — saw untapped potential in the gnarled, low-yielding vines of France's Roussillon and purchased 300 acres of vineyards, eventually constructing a dedicated winery on site. The D66 name references Département 66, the Pyrénées-Orientales region where the fruit is grown in black schist soils that lend pronounced minerality. The 2016 vintage was aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, 30% of which were new, balancing the concentrated old-vine fruit with structured tannin and subtle toast.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark and dense from the outset, opening with ripe plum, cassis, and candied violet before revealing layers of dried lavender, garrigue, and wet schist minerality. A thread of dark chocolate and ground pepper emerges as the wine breathes.

Taste: The entry is rich and full-bodied, immediately delivering roasted plum, kirsch, and boysenberry. At mid-palate, black currant and licorice merge with Asian spice accents, while the crushed-rock minerality from those schist soils provides a savory counterpoint to the fruit's intensity. Cream and baking-spice notes add further dimension toward the peak.

Finish: Long and muscular, with concentrated spiciness, leafy herbs, and lingering dark chocolate. The tannin structure is firm but polished, carrying the fruit well past the final sip.

How to Drink D66 Garnacha

At 15.2% ABV, this is a powerful wine best served slightly below room temperature — around 60–65°F — in a large-bowled glass that allows its aromatic complexity to unfold. Decanting for 30 to 60 minutes opens the nose considerably. While built for sipping alongside food, the D66 also anchors bold red-wine cocktails: a Kalimotxo with quality cola and a squeeze of lemon benefits from the wine's dark-fruit intensity; a Red Wine Sangria loaded with stone fruit and cinnamon mirrors its spice-driven profile; and a classic Bishop cocktail with fresh orange juice and sugar lets the Grenache's berry character shine through.

Best For

• Pairing with a slow-braised lamb shoulder or grilled red meats on a weekend dinner
• Gifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates old-vine French Grenache with serious critical acclaim
• Adding a high-scoring, distinctive bottle to a 2016 vintage cellar collection
• Serving as the centerpiece red at a tasting featuring southern French or Rhône-style wines

Frequently Asked Questions

What does D66 Garnacha taste like? D66 Garnacha 2016 is a rich, full-bodied wine dominated by roasted plum, black currant, kirsch, and boysenberry, layered with dark chocolate, Asian spice, licorice, and a striking crushed-rock minerality from its black schist terroir.

How does D66 compare to The Prisoner red blend? Both wines come from Dave Phinney, but D66 is a French Grenache-Syrah blend from old vines in the Roussillon, while The Prisoner is a California-based blend led by Zinfandel with Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Charbono. D66 tends toward darker minerality and spice, whereas The Prisoner leans into jammy, fruit-forward California character.

Is D66 good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its complexity, layered aromatics, and firm tannic structure make it an excellent wine for contemplative sipping, especially after 30 to 60 minutes of decanting to let the aromatics fully develop.

Where is D66 made? D66 is produced in the Côtes Catalanes IGP within the Pyrénées-Orientales département (Département 66) of southern France's Roussillon region, near the Spanish border. Dave Phinney built a dedicated winery on the 300-acre vineyard property.

What foods pair well with D66 Garnacha? Braised lamb shanks complement its dark spice and minerality; grilled ribeye steak matches the wine's muscular tannins; duck confit echoes its rich, savory depth; aged Manchego or Ossau-Iraty cheese highlights the Grenache's fruit; and dark chocolate desserts mirror the wine's cocoa and baking-spice notes.

What sizes does D66 come in? The standard release of D66 Garnacha 2016 is available in a 750ml bottle.

Is D66 worth the price? With dual 95-point scores from Wine Advocate and Jeb Dunnuck, plus old-vine sourcing and French oak aging, D66 positions as a premium expression that delivers critical acclaim and production pedigree competitive with wines at significantly higher price points in the southern French category.

Why D66 Garnacha?

The 2016 vintage of D66 stands on the strength of its raw materials: 60-plus-year-old Grenache vines rooted in the black schist of Département 66, a terroir that imparts a crushed-mineral signature difficult to replicate elsewhere. Dual 95-point ratings from Wine Advocate and Jeb Dunnuck confirm the vintage's quality at the highest level of critical evaluation. Dave Phinney's commitment to this site — purchasing 300 acres and building a winery from the ground up — signals a long-term investment in the land rather than a one-off négociant project. For drinkers seeking a powerful, terroir-driven Grenache with verifiable critical acclaim, the 2016 D66 delivers substance behind its reputation.