Winemaker Notes
This 2023 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon will certainly evolve in the cellar, but it has been crafted to be enjoyed right away. Dark red fruits, red raspberries, graphite and exotic woods are just a few of the complexities that come forward immediately. The savory tones and freshness of Coombsville meld well with the generous black fruits and solid structure of Oakville. Careful tannin extraction, barrel aging for twenty months in 50% new French oak barrels, and botting without fining or filtration, ensure that the wine retains fruit intensity and maintains its bold texture and generous length.
Blend: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
In a new beginning for Favia, an equal blend of Coombsville and Oakville represents the best of both appellations—the fresh, savory, mineral edge of the former intertwining with the deep flavor and floral lift of the latter. Layers of fruit, supported by graphite, dried herbs, flowers and spices, lead to a luscious yet refined palate with finely tuned tannins and a bright line of acidity. A complete, balanced expression of Napa. 75% cabernet sauvignon, 21% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot. Excellent. Drink or hold.
One of the most prestigious wines of the world capable of great power and grace, Napa Valley Cabernet is a leading force in the world of fine, famous, collectible red wine. Today the Napa Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon are so intrinsically linked that it is difficult to discuss one without the other. But it wasn’t until the 1970s that this marriage came to light; sudden international recognition rained upon Napa with the victory of the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1976 Judgement of Paris.
Cabernet Sauvignon undoubtedly dominates Napa Valley today, covering half of the land under vine, commanding the highest prices per ton and earning the most critical acclaim. Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure, acidity, capacity to thrive in multiple environs and ability to express nuances of vintage make it perfect for Napa Valley where incredible soil and geographical diversity are found and the climate is perfect for grape growing. Within the Napa Valley lie many smaller sub-AVAs that express specific characteristics based on situation, slope and soil—as a perfect example, Rutherford’s famous dust or Stags Leap District's tart cherry flavors.