Julien Fayard 2019 "Sleeping Lady Vineyard" Yountville Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2019 Julien Fayard "Sleeping Lady Vineyard" Yountville Cabernet Sauvignon is a highly acclaimed, powerhouse Napa Valley red wine crafted by renowned consultant winemaker Julien Fayard. Sourced from the celebrated Sleeping Lady Vineyard located on the Yountville benchlands beneath the Mayacamas foothills, this vintage represents a bold, rich, and structurally dramatic expression of the terroir.

Profile & Tasting Notes

• Aromatics: The nose offers intense, brooding aromas of inky black fruits, dark blackberry jam, and blue fruit, lifted by elegant notes of violet, lavender, cedar spice, wild flowers, and white pepper.
• Palate: A massive, full-bodied, and enveloping mid-palate rich with boysenberry, cassis, and Damson plum. The fruit layers weave into deep accents of mocha, espresso, licorice, sassafras root, and a gamey undertone.
• Structure & Finish: Supported by robust, powerful, yet ultra-fine tannins that create a silky, velvety texture. The finish is long and sweet-fruited, driven by a striking slate minerality and crushed rock character.

Critical Acclaim

Professional wine critics have awarded this specific vintage exceptional scores:

• Decanter: 97 Points, praising its enveloping layers, dark cedar spices, and robust, grippy tannins.
• Vinous (Antonio Galloni): 95-99 Points, calling it a "real powerhouse" that is dark, dramatic, and possesses tremendous richness.

Production Details

• Appellation: Yountville AVA, Napa Valley
• Vineyard: Sleeping Lady Vineyard (alluvial, fluvial soils with cobbles)
• Alcohol Content: 14.6%
• Winemaking: Aged for 20 months in 80% new French oak and bottled unfiltered to preserve its immense textural richness.

The release price for a standard 750ml bottle of the Julien Fayard "Sleeping Lady Vineyard" Cabernet Sauvignon typically sits around $250 to $265