Orin Swift Papillon Bordeaux Red Blend 2017

The history of Orin Swift Cellars dates back to 1995 when on a lark, David Swift Phinney took a friend up on an offer and went to Florence, Italy to spend a semester “studying”. During that time, he was introduced to wine, how it was made, and got hooked. A few more years of university led to graduation and eventually a job at Robert Mondavi Winery in 1997 as a temporary harvest worker. Deciding that if he was going to work this hard, it would eventually have to be for himself, he founded Orin Swift Cellars in 1998; Orin is his father’s middle name and Swift is his mother’s maiden name. With two tons of zinfandel and not much else, he spent the next decade making wine for others as well as himself and grew the brand to what it is today.

"A Bordeaux-style red wine from the Napa Valley, comprised of all five varietals , is hard to find. We’ve been lucky to source quality fruit from long time growers on both the valley floor and surrounding hillsides; and while finding Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec can be difficult, their contributions to the resulting wine make it worthwhile. A prime example of our house style—accessible, massive, and memorable—the bottle empties quickly (a slight disappointment when discovered) for the bottle weight suggests differently, and searching for another bottle ensues." - Orin Swift Cellars

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. The blend consists of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Merlot

91 Points - James Suckling    A rich, fruity red with jam, light prune and berry character. Full body, round tannins and juicy finish. Big wine. 

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate    The 2017 Bordeaux Blend Papillon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec, aged for 15 months in oak (43% new). Deep garnet-purple colored, it bursts form the glass with notes of prunes, spiced blackberries and boysenberries with touches of camphor, spice cake and dried leaves.