Favia Cerro Sur Napa Red Wine 2019 Rated 100DM

Decanter Magazine Review
Rated 100
A new addition to the Place de Bordeaux this year - the eponymous project of husband and wife duo; viticulturist Annie Favia and winemaker Andy Erickson. A beautifully scented nose full of rose and violet touches, the Cabernet Franc nuances leap from the glass - fresh and minty, full of herbal sun-kissed ripe fruit but pristinely delivered. Smooth and driving on the palate, crunchy, crisp flavors give a real bite to the palate - red berries, blackcurrants and raisins, all nicely integrated and balanced. This doesn't feel super worked and polished, instead it gives crystalline iron-minerality, lifted acidity and fragrance throughout - real signatures of the terroir and the minimal interventionist winemaking style - the grapes speak more than the winemaking. I just love the sense of wildness, a smoked touch with blue fruits, Asian spices and slightly angular tannins but with ripe fruit giving the body and cool acidity giving the freshness. A stunning wine and welcome addition to the Place. Ageing in French oak barrels (50% new). Drinking Window: 2024-2040.

Wine Tasting Notes
The Favia Cerro Sur Napa Red Wine delivers pure Cabernet Franc character from start to finish. The black/red hue is the first hint that the wine is deeply structured and intense. The aromas are lifted and exciting, with notes of dried herbs, currant, black cherry and anise. The finesse of the tannins is immediately palpable on the palate, along with multiple layers of flavor: salted black licorice, fresh blackberry, amaro, and red leaf tobacco. This savory delight of a wine will likely age for decades to come, and it will be a pleasure to track its course as it continues to develop.

73% Cabernet Franc, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon