OUR #8 Wine of 2016
Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Napa Valley  |  Wine Spectrum 95
“The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Le Pich has a deep ruby/purple color to the rim, sweet cassis and blackberry fruit, licorice, incense and well-disguised oak. The wine is medium to full-bodied, pure, ripe and impressive. It should age nicely for 10-15 years and it’s a real sleeper of the vintage.” ~ Robert Parker Jr.
Purlieu’s sister label, Le Pich, gets its name from a Wappo Indian term meaning “golden eagle.” They are hunting birds, and you can often spot them above our vineyards as they soar, glide, circle and arc. They are beautiful birds — stately and impressive, but not haughty or boasting, with a nimbleness that’s inspiring. We hope that our Le Pich wines live up to the character of their namesake.
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WINEMAKER JULIEN FAYARD
Julien Fayard has lived in the Napa Valley since 2006, when he and his wife agreed to settle down by “meeting halfway” — between his home in France… and hers in Sonoma. In France, Julien worked in both Provence and Bordeaux, where he defined his core winemaking style at the exalted first growth Château Lafite-Rothschild (he even lived in Lafite’s grand château for a period) as well as at Smith Haut Lafitte.
There, Julien says he learned his attention to detail and how to not excessively intervene in the winery: “If you put in the hard work in the vineyard, you have to trust and have patience; then, on its own, the wine will become all that it is capable of.”
Here in Napa, Julien worked at Quintessa before joining Atelier Melka, where he spent five years as the Director of Winemaking.
It was here, working with a variety of clients including Lail Vineyards, Gemstone, Dalla Valle, and more that Julien further developed his winemaking style — while also gaining an intimate understanding of the valley’s vineyards and establishing strong relationships with its many passionate, quality-dedicated growers.
Top Wines of 2016Â Release Schedule
#10 Wine of 2016 | #9 Wine of 2016 | #8 Wine of 2016
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#7 Wine of 2016
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#6 Wine of 2016
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#5 Wine of 2016
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#4 Wine of 2016 |
#3 Wine of 2016 |
#2 Wine of 2016
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#1 Wine of 2016Â |
2016 Winemaker of the Year |
2016 Top 100 Wines of the Year |