Julien Fayard needs no introduction. His name and the exquisite wine brands he is associated with (Covert, Empreinte, Le Pich, Azur, Nicholson Jones, Brion, Scalon and Purlieu) have become household names and we simply cannot dispute this! We love everything he does! His craft can be considered a work of art and his wines have certainly become the benchmark for us when we taste other Napa Cabernets. Being one of the most well-known names in Napa Valley winemaking and recognized for producing incredibly coveted, luxurious Cabernet Sauvignons, his wines consistently showcase power, complexity and ageability. Now with more than two decades of winemaking expertise, Julien Fayard has nailed the recipe for making California wines with French finesse. He believes in making wines that have 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.
Born in the south of France, Julien was immersed in the vineyard at a young age and spent much of his childhood running through the vineyards of Provence with his cousins, shooting grapes at one other with slingshots. Later on, he studied winemaking at notable wineries in Bordeaux including Lafite Rothschild and Smith Haut Laffite before eventually relocating to California. In Napa Valley, he was Philippe Melka’s Director of Winemaking for five years before launching his own consulting firm, overseeing several projects which includes the beloved brand Purlieu that showcases a handful of Cabernets made from heritage vineyard sites that achieve amazing quality and critical acclaim ~ Beckstoffer To Kalon, Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper, Beckstoffer GIII, and Teucer. Sadly, each of these are made in very small quantities, and so every year we are honored and delighted to receive an allocation of each to then share with you.
The name ‘Purlieu’ means ‘edge of the forest’ or ‘royal hunting ground’ in French, a reference to the winery’s original vineyard site in Coombsville, adjacent to a large forest thoroughly inhabited by giant oak trees that are native to the area. Purlieu’s label prominently features an acorn, another reference to the oaks that dominate the nearby forest. We absolutely love each of the following wines and encourage you to add a few of each to your collection. Truly impressive wines that are exceptionally opulent and lavish while maintaining both balance and elegance.
The 2017 To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon proves, once again, the extraordinary beauty and consistency of this legendary old-vine vineyard. Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 offers up a beautiful perfume of fruit cake, preserved plums, potpourri and blackberry preserves with nuances of exotic spices and fragrant earth. The full-bodied, decadently fruited palate is nicely juxtaposed by fantastic freshness and plush tannins, supporting loads of black fruit and earthy layers, finishing long and spicy. 195 cases produced.
