Aged to perfection at 10+ years the 2015 vintage holds true: entering its ideal window of maturity—rich, nuanced, and exceptionally drinkable right now without requiring another minute of cellaring.
94 Point Vintage — Wine Spectator, rated the 2015 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon vintage an exceptional 94 points, showcasing another phenomenal year of power and balance.
100-point winemaker Julien Fayard—formerly of (Lafite Rothschild, Realm, Quintessa)—had a single goal for making this wine: deliver classical Bordeaux precision anchored in pure Napa Valley power.
Drink Window: Uncork tonight—or hold comfortably through 2040.
Food Pairings
Grilled Ribeye, Roasted Rack of Lamb, or Pan-Seared Duck Breast
Wild Mushroom Risotto or Truffle-infused Polenta
Aged Gouda, Sharp English Cheddar, or Parmigiano-Reggiano
100 Point Winemaker, Julien Fayard
With more than two decades of winemaking expertise, Fayard is one of Napa Valley's most respected winemakers producing California varietals with French finesse. Julien's wines are a pure expression of their terroir, highlighting the specificities and characteristics of the fruit, vineyard management, soil and climate. Originally from France. In Bordeaux he worked at Lafite Rothschild and Smith Haut Laffite before relocating to Napa Valley. In Napa, Julien Fayard spent eight years under Philippe Melka's tutelage, he was Melka's director of winemaking for a few years before launching his own projects.
2015 Vintage
The 2015 growing season was a roller coaster of hot and cold spells, severe multi-year drought, a cold spell during fruit set, and isolated hail. A late-summer heatwave marked 2015 as a richer vintage for the estate, with round, juicy fruit and excellent aromatic concentration. Vineyard sun shades preserved freshness through the heat and ensured balance in the finished wine. Rather than becoming overripe or jammy, the vintage delivered vibrant fresh fruit, ripe and supple tannins, and balanced acidity.
Napa Valley
A perfect blend of warm, dry summers for ripening and cooling coastal fog/breezes that preserve acidity. The region features 33 different soil types—roughly half the world's soil orders—ranging from volcanic to alluvial fan, contributing to flavor complexity. Vineyards are situated across valley floors and mountainous terrain (Vaca and Mayacamas ranges), creating distinct sub-appellations with unique characteristics. Known for high-quality, with a strong focus on producing premium, internationally acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon. The region's consistent climate allows for long "hang time" on the vine, enabling grapes to develop deep, concentrated flavors.
Winemaker: Julien Fayard
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: St. Helena, Napa Valley
Harvest: September 1–September 14
Aging: 22 months in French Oak barrels (60% new)
Alcohol: 14.2%
Download Full Technical Sheet & Cellar Notes
95 Points
Entices with aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry, and cedar spice. Indicative of the cool vintage, the wine carries a freshness throughout. The palate offers a harmonious balance between bright red fruit, spice, and nicely woven tannins.
94 Points
Decadent, rich, and supple. Aromas of black cherry, dark chocolate, crushed stone, dried herbs, and cedar lead into layered notes of cassis, fennel, baked plums, mocha powder, and cigars dusted with roasted Herbs de Provence, earth and red volcanic mineral notes. Full-bodied and rich, with a firm spine of racy acidity and ultra-fine, gravelly tannins that carry the lasting, mouthwatering finish.
93 Points
Aromas of blackcurrant, dark plum, and cedar unfold alongside soft notes of vanilla and toasted oak. On the palate, structured tannins frame layers of black cherry, baking spice, and a subtle herbal lift from the Merlot blended beneath the Cabernet's backbone. Medium-bodied gem with good concentration finishing long and warm, with lingering impressions of cocoa and dried fig.
94 Points
Aromas of fresh lime, verbena, and gooseberry are followed by a juicy, aromatic front palate with bright acidity that wakes up your taste buds. The heightened aromatics develop even greater complexity on the mid-palate, featuring fresh lemon and star fruit, with just a hint of green apple and mango. Gorgeous structural precision leads to a long and chiseled finish with lasting minerality.
96 Points
Aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry liqueur, and purple flowers drive the nose of this energetic Syrah which is co-fermented with a whisper of Viognier. Gracing the palate are dark berries, plum, blackberries, peppercorns, hints of sweet tobacco, and well-positioned oak spice with plush acid and rich tannin peaking through the finish.
Exceptional
In the glass this wine open with aromas of ripe black cherry, bark, cedar, dried orange peel, a touch of black pepper. The palate equally rich with flavors expanding into notes of fresh picked cherry, chocolate, and crushed stone and a touch of white pepper. Together, these lavish flavors, coupled with an elegant mouthfeel and a long engaging finish make a fantastic wine.
90 Points
Aromas of cranberry, sour cherry, plum, and orange rind, complemented by hints of forest floor, pine needles, and rosemary. The wine opens with flavor of juicy red fruit supported by spicy undertones of red pepper and black tea. The freshness of its red fruit are enhanced a vibrant core of light acidity and full rich tannins all of which linger gracefully in the long finish.
94 Points
A full-throttle, blackberry-driven red, laden with chalky minerality and layered with robust tannins. Violet scents mingle with fig and plum fruit in a medium- to full-bodied expression that hits all the right chords, delivering a pleasing one-two punch to the senses.
94 Points
Dark purple in color it opens with explosive aromas of wild blackberry, and a touch of vanilla oak. The palate is bursting with ripe juicy flavors of boysenberry, raspberry and wild cherry, accented by layers of cedar, cacao, cinnamon and briary spice. It’s bold enough to stand up to any BBQ, yet smooth enough to sip on the patio as the sun goes down. Enjoy now and for the next 6-8 years.
