NV Locations I-1 (Orin Swift) 750 ml

Wine Spectator Top 100 — Six Times in Ten Years!

Robert Parker, Jr. graduated from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1973. Two years later, he took a cue from Ralph Nader and began self-publishing an “independent consumer’s guide” to fine wine. Even as friends cautioned Parker from veering too far afield from his profession, the young attorney found himself more and more intrigued by his unpaid preoccupation.

Unlike other critics, Parker was brash and unequivocal. When he loved a wine, he wrote as much — with no uncertainty. When underwhelmed, he was equally emphatic, always calling it as he saw it. His 100-point rating system for both wines and vintages was quickly adopted by retailers, importers, and collectors, establishing a new standard for wine criticism.

For nearly 40 years, The Wine Advocate has published reviews for hundreds of high-end releases from Bordeaux, Napa, Piedmont, and Tuscany, many of them ecstatic. But rarely has the world’s most influential critic lavished the kind of praise on an under-$20 red as was found in Issue #213, when Parker called Dave Phinney his “value winemaker of the year.”

Dave Phinney is best known for his runaway success with “The Prisoner.” Six times in the last 10 years, Phinney’s big, bold, full-throttle reds have found their way onto the list of Wine Spectator ’s Top 100. But when the always-inventive winemaker took his road show to Italy, he turned out this spectacular, darkly concentrated blend, taken straight from Phinney’s own “Prisoner” script.

The Locations I-1 is a voluptuous blend of darkly muscled Nero D’Avola, sturdy Barbera, and firm, rustic Negroamaro. Vivid, dark ruby. Plush aromas of wild herbs, red currant, and licorice, dashed with sweet spice. Rich, powerfully concentrated yet silken in texture, packed with spicy black- and red-fruit preserves, finishing with fine cut and persistence. Drink now-2017.

$24 on release. Just $15.50 for a couple hours — shipping included on 6. 150 cases are up for grabs.