The 2019 Purlieu Georges III bottling exemplifies the refinement of Rutherford Cabernet. The nose unfolds into layers of fragrant boysenberry, black and red fruits, and a delicate touch of chervil. On the palate, ripe plum and juicy purple fruit give way to creamy notes of dark milk chocolate, before gliding forward again to support the long, satisfying finish. Well-integrated tannins offer a seamless structure to this elegant wine and promise many more years of enjoyment to come.

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. 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.

Proof/ABV: 14.9