Winemaker Notes
Powerful aromatics escape the glass with rich notes of ripe blackcurrant, blackberry, peppercorn and a touch of chaparral supported by a frame of sweet oak. Intensely layered and decadent on entry, the wine exudes characteristics of black plum, boysenberry, kirsch and dark chocolate with a silky soft yet weighty texture. A prolonged finish of Provençal lavender, fig leaf and ripe currants close out the wine.
About the Label
The label features the beautiful juxtaposition of a gorgeous word, 'butterfly', cast against the harsh and gritty hands of a friend and fellow winemaker. The label is as memorable as the wine itself.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2017 Orin Swift Cellars Papillon is a robust red blend of Bordeaux grape varieties. TASTING NOTES: This wine doesn't hold back. Its strength navigates nicely through the palate and into the finish. TASTING NOTES: This wine offers excellent complexity and length on the palate. Enjoy its aromas and flavors of ripe red berries and savory spices with a well-seasoned oven-baked chuck roast. (Tasted: November 8, 2019, San Francisco, CA)
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James Suckling
A rich, fruity red with jam, light prune and berry character. Full body, round tannins and juicy finish. Big wine. Drink now.
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.