Purlieu Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2016

VINTAGE : 2016

COUNTRY : USA

REGION/APPELLATION : Napa Valley 

VARIETALS : Cabernet Sauvignon

Purlieu means “the edge of the forest” or “an outlying area.” Directly, it is a reference to our home base in the new Coombsville AVA, at the edge of the forest and the entire Napa Valley. Symbolically, “purlieu” refers to our approach to winemaking, to exploring the outskirts and navigating the boundaries of what one may expect of a Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. For us, the key to successfully walking that edge lies in maintaining balance: between innovation and tradition, confidence and restraint, depth and refreshment.

Winemaker JULIEN FAYARD

With more than two decades of winemaking expertise, Julien Fayard is one of Napa Valley’s most respected winemakers producing California varietals with French finesse. He believes in producing wines with an identity, exploiting what makes each one unique. Julien’s wines are a pure expression of their terroir, highlighting the specificities and characteristics of the fruit, vineyard management, soil and climate. He has a track record of building brands both in terms of quality and market presence.

Originally from France, Julien began his career as a winemaker producing quality rosé at his family’s winery in Provence. In Bordeaux he worked at Lafite Rothschild and Smith Haut Laffite before relocating to Napa Valley. In Napa, he was Philippe Melka’s director of winemaking for a few years before launching his own projects.

 At under $100/btl, Purlieu’s Napa Cabernet is remarkably stunning, and when you consider the list of fruit sources that they produce single-vineyard wines from, which includes; Beckstoffer To-Kalon, Georges III, Missouri Hopper and Sugarloaf, it’s an easy decision to try their Napa Cab which is a cuvée of these multiple sites.

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon gives up exuberant notions of blackcurrant pastilles, blackberry compote and stewed red plums with touches of kirsch, potpourri, fragrant earth and cigar box. Full-bodied and opulently fruited in the mouth, the powerful flavors are well framed by firm, ripe tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and spicy. Lisa Perrotti-Brown 95 points