PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Merlot has spent two decades under a cloud, since a famous 2004 movie made a character’s disdain for the grape into a punchline. Dave Phinney, the founder of Orin Swift and the mind behind The Prisoner, The Prisoner’s cousins, and Papillon, decided it was time to take the grape back, and Advice From John is his answer. “All good things circle back around,” the winery says, “so let’s revitalize this delicious, luscious, and fun varietal.”
The wine has a story as unusual as its label. Phinney’s longtime executive assistant, Samantha Smith, wrote a book also called Advice From John, an anthology of the brilliant, idiotic, and sometimes deep thoughts found at the bottom of a cocktail and then scribbled onto the walls of dive bar bathrooms. One phrase, “You Had Me At Hell No,” captured at a dive in Texas, caught Dave’s eye as he was thinking about how to bring Merlot back into the mainstream, and it became the wine’s tagline, a wink at Merlot’s detractors.
The wine is a Merlot-led California red blend: the winery has described it as roughly 77% Merlot, with Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Grenache from four hillside, cool-climate vineyards with alluvial soils that “help bring acidity and structure.” It’s aged about eight months in French oak, about a quarter of it new, and it sits near 15% ABV (14.9% for the 2024). Phinney’s description: “It’s lush and textured, with soft tannins, carrying through to a long finish.” The winery’s tasting note: “Dominating aromatics abound with notes of blackberry pie, black plum, sage and lilac. A flooding sensation on entry drives dark fruits onto the mid-palate with touches of savory, fennel and licorice as complements. Long on the finish, the espresso bean and continued concentration of blackberry throughout fades slowly with gentle and soft tannins.” Another retailer’s description: “Deep, plush Merlot with the signature Orin Swift intensity — black cherry, blueberry compote, and dark plum wrapped in mocha, graphite, and warm spice.”
The first vintage was reviewed positively. James Suckling’s tasting of the 2023 found: “Generous, juicy, creamy and rich. Soft tannins wrap around dark plums, baked cherries, chocolate-covered cherries and vanilla bean on a full body. A new wine from David Phinney and company that’s super-flavorful yet feels relatively light and sips easily. Drink now.” Vinum scored the 2023 88. Delectable users call it “velvety, rich and juicy,” “quite fruit forward but with some savory notes,” and “a solid restaurant value,” and one blogger rated the 2024 8.1 out of 10, with other tasters noting it fits squarely within the Orin Swift style: ripe, plush, and polished. No scores have been published for the 2025.
It’s a big, soft, fruit-forward California Merlot, a crowd-pleaser with a conversation-starting label, and a good gift for friends who love Orin Swift but think they don’t like Merlot. Serve it at about 62-65°F, with burgers, ribs, grilled steak, lamb, and aged cheddar.
Orin Swift 2025 Advice From John California Merlot is produced by Orin Swift Cellars (winemaker Dave Phinney; owned by E. & J. Gallo), a Merlot-led blend with Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Grenache from cool-climate hillside vineyards in California, aged about 8 months in French oak (about 25% new). About 15% ABV (14.9% for the 2024), 750ml.
No scores are published yet for the 2025. House-style context from the 2023 vintage:
James Suckling (2023 vintage):
“Generous, juicy, creamy and rich. Soft tannins wrap around dark plums, baked cherries, chocolate-covered cherries and vanilla bean on a full body. A new wine from David Phinney and company that’s super-flavorful yet feels relatively light and sips easily. Drink now.”
Vinum Wine Magazine — 2023 vintage — 88 Points (tasted December 2025)
Orin Swift (winemaker’s notes):
“Dominating aromatics abound with notes of blackberry pie, black plum, sage and lilac. A flooding sensation on entry drives dark fruits onto the mid-palate with touches of savory, fennel and licorice as complements. Long on the finish, the espresso bean and continued concentration of blackberry throughout fades slowly with gentle and soft tannins.”
Nose
Deep ruby-black. Blackberry pie, black plum, cherry, sage, lilac, cedar, and dark chocolate.
Palate
Full-bodied, plush, and velvety, with blackberry compote, chocolate-covered cherries, plum pudding, fennel, and licorice, with soft tannin.
Finish
Long and smooth, with espresso bean, cola, and lingering blackberry.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Appellation | California |
| Blend | Merlot-led (winery has cited ~77% Merlot) with Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Grenache |
| Vintage | 2025 |
| Producer | Orin Swift Cellars — Dave Phinney |
| Vineyards | Cool-climate hillside vineyards with alluvial soils |
| Aging | About 8 months in French oak (~25% new) |
| ABV | ~15% (14.9% for the 2024) |
| Critics | None yet for 2025; 2023: James Suckling reviewed, Vinum 88 |
| Serving Temperature | 62–65°F |
| Style / Identity | A plush, velvety, fruit-forward Merlot-led red with a dive-bar-wall label |
| Aromas & Flavors | Blackberry pie, black plum, sage, lilac, fennel, licorice, espresso |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
Serve at about 62-65°F; decant briefly if opened young.
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
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