Tasting Notes

Dark magenta in the glass, this muscular wine showcases Napa Valley terroir at its best. The nose opens with blue fruit and blackcurrant aromas that uplift and entice. A dense, richly fruited core of blueberry, boysenberry and blackcurrant commands attention, with subtler notes of graphite and baking spices adding dimension. Powerful and fresh, this full-bodied wine sustains spicy blueberry, clove and sweet dried mint aromas through a satisfying finish.

Production: 1,175 cases

About Purlieu

Purlieu in the literal sense means “the edge of the forest” or “an outlying area.” 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.

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.

Julien earned his Master in Agri-Business from ESA France and his Master in Winemaking from Toulouse France. In 2011, he received his MBA from UC Davis.