Orin Swift Cellars Papillon 2013 Front Bottle Shot
Orin Swift Cellars Papillon 2013 Front Bottle Shot Orin Swift Cellars Papillon 2013 Front Label Orin Swift Cellars Papillon 2013 Back Bottle Shot

Winemaker Notes

Composed of all five Bordeaux varieties, Papillon is the Cabernet based red wine. The goal was to make a stand-alone wine that incorporates all the majesty of Cabernet Sauvignon with the subtleties of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, and the power of Petit Verdot and Malbec. The label is photograph taken by our good friend and fellow winemaker, Greg Gorman. A dense shade of crimson red coats the sides of the glass. Subtle aromas of cedar wood and rose petals mingle with hints of well-seasoned oak. The entry of the wine is seamless and prepares the taster for a broad mid pallet saturated with ripe cherry and dark chocolate. The wine finishes with broad and rich tannins that linger on for nearly a minute.

Professional Ratings

  • 95
    The 2013 Papillon Proprietary Red is 100% from Napa and is a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. This killer wine has an inky purple color and offers notes of espresso roast intermixed with white chocolate, creme de cassis, blackberry and a touch of toasty oak. The wine was aged 16 months in French oak, of which 40% was new. Broad and opulent, with great intensity, purity and depth, this is another stunner from Dave Phinney, a.k.a. Orin Swift.
Orin Swift Cellars

Orin Swift Cellars

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Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.

Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.

WWH143128_2013 Item# 147798