A barrel selection of the winery's best Cabernet, the backbone of the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Mercury Head comes from three vineyards: Stagecoach, Morisoli and Taplin-Lewelling. It's roughly similar in new-oak content to the rest of the Orin Swift wines, coming in at 43% new, enough to imprint hints of cedar on the cherry and cassis fruit. Full-bodied and silky, it's big, rich and concentrated, without being heavy, while finishing long and mouthwatering, with softly dusty tannins and a hint of warmth.

Ripe, juicy and solidly built, with plum compote and blackberry paste flavors laced with licorice root, tar and sassafras notes. There's a pretty flash of violet through the finish, as the fruit pumps through. Best from 2023 through 2034. 7,022 cases made.