Papillon is Orin Swift Cellars’ Napa Valley Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend—proudly consisting of all five of the varietals. Sourced from hand-picked vineyards across the various Napa Valley AVAs, this vintage of Papillon epitomizes the house style at Orin Swift—accessible, powerful and complex. The wine is aged 16 months in French oak, 40% new. The label is a photograph taken by winemaker Greg Gorman.
An intense ink with a garnet rim, the wine opens with powerful aromatics of cassis, ripe boysenberry, and chaparral with hints of graphite, sage, fire -roasted meats and fresh brioche. The entry floods the palate with ripe dark fruit flavors of blackberry and black cherries as well as fresh minerality and a touch of kir and crème de menthe. With traces of tannin, the wine finishes with a lingering sweet licorice and a smooth acidity. Overall, this vintage of Papillon truly characterizes the theme —bold and massive yet also delicate and complex.