2020 Le Pich Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 750 ml

Antonio Galloni of Vinous counsels his readers to buy the most accessible bottles from the greatest producers. That way, he says, “you know that every wine they make is going to be somewhere between outstanding to just tremendous.”

That’s our philosophy when it comes to buying from Napa Valley’s 100-point Cabernet craftsmen—and it sums up why Julien Fayard’s Le Pich is by far one of the most popular Cabernets in the history of Wine Access. From the winemaker behind the uber-collectible Purlieu and JF labels—who has also made wines for Quintessa, Dalla Valle, and Lail—it delivers the power, the finesse, the outright gratification that you expect from a Cabernet twice the price.

Fayard’s years working with Philippe Melka and consulting for top-tier wineries helped him cement relationships with A-list growers, and now his Rolodex includes the elite and the iconic: Just look at Purlieu’s lineup, which features To Kalon, Missouri Hopper, Georges III, and Sugarloaf. He works with the best terroir and nothing less, whether it’s for Purlieu, JF, or Le Pich.

While his California consulting work has unlocked some incredible sources, Fayard’s winemaking philosophy follows the lessons he learned during his time working at Château Lafite-Rothschild and Château Smith Haut Lafitte: attention and restraint.

Putting unparalleled fruit in the hands of a meticulous winemaker delivered this bold, nuanced 2020 Le Pich. The aromas are an aromatic festival with vibrant and dark red and blue fruit accented with violets, lilacs, and hints of cocoa and graphite. The palate is lush, with plenty of boysenberry, graphite, and fresh spice carried on well-structured tannins.