Orin Swift Cellars - Papillon Wine

Who would have thought that a bottle hosting an image barring prison tattoos would be so popular and oh so delicious. Wine maker David Swift Phinney did.  In 1995 a friend of David suggested he take the study abroad program. David took his friends offer to spend a semester studying abroad.  During his semester abroad in Florence Italy, David was introduced to wine, how it was made and he got hooked.  After David finished his university studies, he went to work for Robert Mondavi Winery.  In 1998 David decided that if he was going to work extremely hard he was going to work for himself and founded Orin Swift Cellars named after his mother and father.  His company grew into a multinational brand that now includes 300 acres of vineyards in the Southwest of France, which allows for projects in Spain, Italy, Corsica, Argentina, and many other locations around the globe.  Despite all of the growth, Orin Swift Cellars continues to operate as a small, passionate team of friends and family dedicated to make great wine.

So how did a great wine with a beautiful name as Papillon (French for Butterfly) end up with prison tattoos as it's wine label?  The wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvigon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Malbec; and the grapes are coming from 6 different vineyards that have been chosen because of their unique fingerprint, and intensity Orin Swift Cellars wanted a Label that is just as fitting as they vineyards the juice came from.   World renowned photographer Greg Gorman and hand model Vince Tofanelli a third generation grape grower and friend designed and created the label for the bottle.  This wine is a Bordeaux style wine that is aged 16 months in French Oak, and is a true delight to drink, and I was fortunate enough to try during an monthly meeting of the AWS (American Wine Society) in Frankfort, Kentucky.  I loved this wine and would highly recommend it.

Papillon 2007

Maker: Orin Swift Cellar

Region: Napa Valley, CA

Grapes: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, and 1 % Malbac

Appearance: Deep crimson with huge of magenta on the rim.

Nose: Instantly on the nose is the rich aroma of dark fruit, cedar, and mocha

On the Palate: Rich flavor of cherries, blackberries, smokiness of the oak, silky tannins and a nice lingering finish.

Southern Belle Shiraz

Southern Belle Shiraz
image from gardenandgun.com

Hello friends!  I know it has been 7 months and I have not disappeared.   I have been trying many different wines and bourbons; and now I have a lot to write about. I have made a few New Years Resolutions this year and one of them is to write more about what I like and keep up on the postings for this blog.    My first installment for the Month January is Southern Belle Shiraz.

Southern Belle Shiraz is the creative effort of wine aficionado Dan Philips of Southern Australia.  Philips is the palate behind the "Grateful Palate", which imports Australian wines and peddles mail-order edibles, including his bacon of the month club. At first Philips idea to age wine in bourbon barrels was rejected and winemakers refused to do it.  There is this perception that the French way is better; and French Oak is always better.  Lucky for us, Philips did not get discouraged and found wine makers to create Southern Belle Shiraz.  The sad news about this delicious wine is that it is a limited quantity and is only released twice a year.   The last release was Fall 2013.  I do not know when it will be released again but I am hoping it will be soon and I believe it will be around the next release of Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon.  Southern Belle Shiraz is aged for 18 months in the 20 year old Pappy Van Winkle bourbon barrels, which is one of the most sought after bourbons on the market, and is only released twice a year with a very strict allotment per retail outlet.  The wine and spirit shop where I work (Capital Cellars Frankfort, KY) only had two bottles of the Pappy Van Winkle 20 year old for sale and we did not have one bottle left over for behind the bar.  Now for the those who pay close attention to alcohol content, you will be happy to know that Southern Belle Shiraz has an alcohol content of 17.6% (that is 35.2 proof for all you bourbon and whiskey aficionados). This is a wine I highly recommend getting or trying if you can.

Southern Belle Shiraz

Grape:  Shiraz/Syah

Region: Australia

Appearance: Very dark purple, nearly black

Nose: intense aromas of vanilla, oak, nutmeg, and very fruity

On the palate: Fairly light, very little tannin, flavors of caramel, toffee, and possible some leather and a warm nutty flavor in the back.  The back of the palate contains notes of leather.  The warm nutty vanilla flavors may be from the Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrels.  The wine is smooth and has a nice lingering flavor.

This wine is a true delight from the moment it is opened to the very finish.  It makes you wish you had more.