2023 Les Vins Julien Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 750 ml

Julien Fayard gained fame making wines for the best: Lafite Rothschild, Dalla Valle, Lail, and so many more.

Today he’s one of the hottest consulting winemakers in the West, with first dibs on some of the greatest vineyards in Napa and Sonoma. But after years of winning 100-point scores for other people, he’s started funneling the finest fruit to his personal labels: Julien Fayard Wines and Les Vins Julien.

And in 2023—tied with 2021 as Wine Spectator’s highest-rated California Pinot vintage of all time—he allocated fruit from a top Sonoma Coast site to craft the beautifully detailed and concentrated 2023 Les Vins Julien Pinot Noir, which boasts rich fruit, juicy acidity, and silken tannins—all hallmarks of Fayard’s winemaking.

Fayard’s years working with Philippe Melka and consulting for top-tier wineries helped him cement relationships with A-list growers. Now, Fayard’s Rolodex includes the elite and the iconic, such as Platt Vineyard, Beckstoffer To Kalon, Missouri Hopper, Georges III, and Sugarloaf. He works with the best terroir and nothing less, no matter what.

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: hyper-focused attention to detail and restraint in the cellar.

In his hands, this 2023 is simply flawless, with aromas of Bing cherry and raspberry preserves, plus notes of cranberry and dried herbs. It’s sleek-bodied, with juicy acidity and silky tannins leading to a smooth, elegant finish. The wine is a knockout. Each bottle in your case will develop beautifully for a decade.