Faust 2006 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 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
My son Will wanted a nice steak, so I went rooting around my cellar to find something with a little age and came across a Faust 2006, which I thought was about ready to drink. The 2006 vintage is 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 3% Malbec, 1% Cabernet Franc. Interesting that Faust is missing Petit Verdot in order for the wine to be a classic Bordeaux style blend (five permitted red Bordeaux grapes). Pouring a glass you notice a deep inky red color and aromas of dried fruit, dark berries and touches of cherries with a little spice. Not as overpowering as I was expecting, but an enjoyable wine to drink. The finish was smooth with just the right touch of oak. To me the 2006 is hitting its stride so if you have a bottle, open it up this year and enjoy. The price point was about $50 but it may be difficult to locate a 2006 vintage now. I will be back to try a current vintage and compare.
Cheers!