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.