Orin Swift Papillon Napa Valley 2022

94 points Jonathan Cristaldi (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. Drinking Window: 2025-2034. (2/26/25)"

91 points Joe Czerwinski (Wine Advocate): "The 2022 Papillon Red Wine is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% each Malbec and Syrah, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot and 4% Merlot. It also includes a bit more than 5% of 2021 vintage wine, so it is labeled as Napa County, rather than Napa Valley. All the bookkeeping aside, it offers plenty of ripe cherries and a faint herbal streak on the nose, a full-bodied, silky-textured palate and a welcome bit of cedar (it spent 13 months in 40% new oak) on the charming, supple finish. Drink: 2025-2030. (Jun 2025)"

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.