Faust 2012 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon
Interesting to learn that Faust, the wine, celebrates a legend which has inspired many great minds, among them the German poet Goethe, from whose masterpiece they draw inspiration. In Goethe’s most famous work, the aging scholar Dr. Faust barters his soul in the afterlife in exchange for another chance at youth. He gets his chance, yet ultimately his soul is saved by love. Faust is indeed the fruit of renewed passion for Agustin Huneeus, though Mephistopheles has not yet appeared to claim his soul. The underlying premise for all of the wines he has ever produced has been that great wines must be a reflection of a great vineyard. Faust is not. Instead, Faust is a tribute to Napa Valley’s noblest grape – full-bodied, decadently rich and unctuous Cabernet Sauvignon.
Expressing the complexity of the Cabernet Sauvignon grape and diversity of the Napa Valley, Faust obtains Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from Agustin’s family vineyards in Rutherford and Coombsville, one of Napa Valley’s newest appellations located in the eastern foothills south of Atlas Peak. Agustin’s relationships with growers in other Napa Valley appellations, such as Yountville, Mount Veeder, Atlas Peak, St. Helena and Rutherford, round out the wine with small lots from these spectacular mountain and valley terroirs. Faust is crafted at the Quintessa winery in Rutherford, a state-of-the-art winery with the most modern technologies. The grapes are hand-picked, double-sorted, gently crushed and fermented in stainless steel and French oak fermentation tanks. The wine is then transferred to French oak barrels for an aging period of 19 months
I wanted a nice steak, so I reached for a Faust to pair with it. The 2012 vintage is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc. Interesting Faust now adds Petit Verdot, making the wine a classic Bordeaux style blend, previous vintages they omitted Petit Verdot. Pouring a glass I noticed a deep ruby red color with inky edges and aromas of dark fruit, dark berries and a little spice. The palate showed ripe blackberries, some cacao, a little leather and oak. Very approachable for a 2012, and I was pleasantly surprised. On the finish tannins were subtle, yet firm, yielding to a smooth ending with just the right touch of oak, somewhat “Bordeaux like”. I had a 2006 not long ago, and this wine seems to have more aging potential than the 2006. I will be back to comment on other vintages as I am not disappointed in opening a bottle of Faust.
Cheers!