2021 Favia Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

Aromas of crème de cassis, black cherry, and dark chocolate integrate with sophisticated notes of graphite, violet, and a hint of wild mountain sage. The palate is full-bodied and exceptionally seamless, featuring a dense core of blue and black fruit and a savory, earthy complexity. It displays a monumental structure with fine-grained, architectural tannins and a balanced acidity that leads to a long, majestic finish marked by toasted espresso bean and a cool mineral lift.

Winemaker Andy Erickson utilizes a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc. In the cellar, the fruit is harvested at peak maturity and fermented in small, open-top stainless steel tanks using native yeasts. The wine undergoes a gentle maceration to build structural depth while preserving the purity of the Oakville fruit. It matures for 22 months in 100% new French oak barrels sourced from elite cooperages. This intensive barrel program provides the polished framework and spicy complexity necessary to support the intense flavor concentration typical of this estate.

The fruit is grown in the Oakville AVA of central Napa Valley, primarily sourced from a vineyard on the western bench near the base of the Mayacamas Mountains. The site is defined by its well-drained, red volcanic soils and alluvial fans, which are world-renowned for producing Cabernet Sauvignon with both power and elegance. The 2021 vintage in Oakville was characterized by a dry growing season and small berries, resulting in a wine with incredible phenolic density and a dark, brooding character. The cooling afternoon breezes from the San Pablo Bay ensure the grapes maintain the essential acidity that gives this flagship bottling its legendary balance and longevity.