Purlieu Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Purlieu Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 is a Napa Valley red wine from winemaker Julien Fayard, bottled at 750ml. It earned 93 points from Wine Advocate, reflecting the polish and depth that distinguish the 2015 Napa vintage. Fayard's training at Château Lafite-Rothschild and Smith Haut Lafitte in Bordeaux informs every decision in the cellar, producing a Cabernet that balances Napa's generous fruit with notable restraint.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~15.5%  |  Origin: Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2015  |  Winery: Purlieu Wines

Production & Heritage

Purlieu Wines is a small-production project founded by winemaker Julien Fayard, who honed his craft at two of Bordeaux's most celebrated estates — Château Lafite-Rothschild and Château Smith Haut Lafitte — before relocating to Napa Valley. That Bordelais training shows in what Fayard describes as "attention to detail and restraint in the cellar," favoring structure and layered complexity over raw power. The 2015 vintage in Napa was marked by early budbreak, lower-than-average yields due to drought, and concentrated fruit character, all of which contributed to wines of exceptional depth and focus.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with deep, expressive black and red currant followed by kirsch and preserved plums. Secondary layers reveal spice box, unsmoked tobacco, and a subtle earthiness that anchors the fruit.

Taste: The palate entry is svelte and mouth-filling, with ripe cassis and baked blackberry flavors landing immediately. At mid-palate, mocha and graphite emerge alongside hints of Indian spice and cigar box, while pliable tannins give the wine an oily, umami-like chewiness. Despite the richness, the wine is thoroughly dry throughout.

Finish: Medium to long, with smooth tannins carrying dark fruit and a subtle graphite mineral note to the close. A satisfying, juicy quality lingers without excess weight.

How to Drink Purlieu 2015

This Cabernet rewards patient, quiet attention — pour it neat in a large-bowled glass at cellar temperature (60–65°F) and allow 30 to 45 minutes of air before the first sip. Its structured tannins and dark fruit concentration also make it a compelling ingredient in wine-forward cocktails: a New York Sour, where its cassis depth enriches a whiskey sour's float; a Kalimotxo, for a surprisingly complex highball-style serve; or a Sangria Negra, where the baking spice and plum notes harmonize with citrus and brandy.

Best For

• Gifting a Napa Valley wine collector who values Bordeaux-influenced styles
• Anchoring a comparative tasting of 2015 Napa Cabernets
• Pairing with a special steak dinner or holiday roast
• Cellaring alongside other premium Napa reds from a top-rated vintage

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Purlieu 2015 taste like? It delivers concentrated black currant, cassis, and mocha flavors with graphite minerality, supported by smooth, pliable tannins and a dry, medium-bodied profile. Spice box and cigar box accents add aromatic complexity.

How does Purlieu 2015 compare to Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet? Both are Napa Valley Cabernets, but Purlieu leans toward a more Bordeaux-influenced style with restrained extraction and layered spice, while Artemis tends to emphasize rounder, more immediately approachable dark fruit. Purlieu's 93-point Wine Advocate score places it in a competitive bracket with Artemis, though Purlieu is produced in much smaller quantities.

Is Purlieu 2015 good for sipping neat? Yes — its balanced tannin structure, medium body, and complex aromatic profile make it well-suited for contemplative neat drinking, especially with some time to breathe in the glass.

Where is Purlieu 2015 made? Purlieu Wines is produced in Napa Valley, California, by winemaker Julien Fayard. Fayard sources fruit from Napa Valley vineyards and vinifies the wine with techniques shaped by his years working at top Bordeaux estates.

What foods pair well with Purlieu 2015? Grilled ribeye steak complements the wine's graphite and cassis notes; braised short ribs echo its mocha and spice depth; roasted lamb with herbs plays off the earthy tobacco character; aged Comté or Gruyère mirrors the umami chewiness; and dark chocolate with sea salt highlights the wine's baking spice finish.

What sizes does Purlieu 2015 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.

Is Purlieu 2015 worth the price? Purlieu positions as a premium, small-production Napa Cabernet Sauvignon made by a Bordeaux-pedigreed winemaker. Its 93-point Wine Advocate score and limited availability place it favorably against other wines in its tier, representing strong value for collectors and drinkers seeking Bordeaux-inflected Napa character.

Why Purlieu 2015?

What separates this wine from the broader field of Napa Cabernets is Julien Fayard's direct lineage to Lafite-Rothschild and Smith Haut Lafitte — not as brand association, but as a tangible influence on cellar philosophy. The 93-point rating from Wine Advocate confirms the 2015 vintage as one of Purlieu's strongest showings, combining the generosity of a warm Napa year with a European sensibility that keeps the wine focused and age-worthy. Small production means limited allocation, and the 2015 vintage across Napa is widely considered one of the decade's finest. For anyone building a cellar or exploring what happens when Bordeaux discipline meets Napa Valley terroir, this bottle delivers a specific, rewarding answer.