Orin Swift Cellars "Papillon" Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 (Napa Valley, California) [DM 94]
Orin Swift Cellars "Papillon" Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 (Napa Valley, California) [DM 94]
Orin Swift Cellars "Papillon" Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 (Napa Valley, California) [DM 94]
Orin Swift Cellars "Papillon" Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 (Napa Valley, California) [DM 94]

Orin Swift Cellars "Papillon" Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
(Napa Valley, California) [DM 94]


$120.00 $84.97 Save $35.03
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About the Winery:
Orin Swift Cellars was founded by David 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 company into a multi-national brand that now includes 300 acres of vineyards in the Southwest of France. This international ambition has led to projects in Spain, Italy, Corsica, Argentina and other locations around the globe. In 2016, Orin Swift (the brand, remaining inventory and the tasting room in St. Helena) was purchased by E. & J. Gallo Winery. Founder Dave Phinney continues to be involved in a consulting role.

Notes from the Winemaker:

A tale of juxtapositions, Papillon opens the door to any wine drinker—seasoned or raw—of the possibilities of a five-varietal Bordeaux-blend. A weathered pair of farm hands and the image of a fragile butterfly extend to the wine itself—delicate yet brawny, nuance but bold. Difficult to find in the Napa Valley, we source and ferment the different varietals to our house style: ripe, lush, accessible and with very soft tannins. A mélange of fruit from across the Valley, from Atlas Peak to the gravelly-rich soils of St. Helena and Rutherford, we were able to produce a true Bordeaux-blend but perhaps requires a rethinking of the phrase to simply, Orin Swift’s Papillon.

Pouring an opaque crimson core with a brooding cardinal rim, the 2022 Papillon opens with aromatic notes of ripe cassis, blackberry, coastal chapparal, cedar box and allspice. On entry, the palate continues many of the same notes from the nose — cassis, pluot, blueberry, boysenberry, shaved fennel bulb and a touch of earth. A round, weighty mid-palate effortlessly gives way to dusty, coating tannins — a pleasing texture — and finishing hints of barbeque tri-tip, Madagascar vanilla and toffee.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Merlot
15.4% Alc. by volume
Aged for 13 months in French Oak, 40% new


Ratings & Reviews

94 Points - Decanter:
"A proprietary red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, aged for 13 months in 44% new French oak. Richly layered with black cherry and blackberry fruit, this wine delivers unexpectedly grippy tannins, standing out in a vintage where softer structures are more common. More grip, more power, and more bang for the buck than many others from this year. The palate is defined by crunchy, sappy tannins that fill the mid-palate, gradually resolving into warm brown baking spices. To fully appreciate its structure and depth, serve at cellar temperature in large Bordeaux stems after an hour of decanting—allowing it to build in richness and cohesion, with seamless integration of its robust tannins and juicy acid tension." - Jonathan Cristaldi (Feb 2025)