Name: Favia 'La Magdalena' Red Blend 2018
SKU: 9826_sku
Price: 267.0 USD
Availability: InStock

Favia 'La Magdalena' Red Blend 2018

Product Details

Purity, intensity, and balance are on display

42% Cabernet Franc, 58% Cabernet Sauvignon

About the Producer

Favia Wines began in 2003, amidst myriad responsibilities at Napa’s most lauded wineries and vineyards. After tutelage in the cellars of John Kongsgaard and Cathy Corison, Annie dedicated nearly a dozen years to hands in hallowed soils as a viticulturist under David Abreu. Andy, meanwhile, can draw a map of the valley using his résumé as a legend. To start, his voice has echoed in the cellars of Screaming Eagle, Ovid, and Dalla Valle. Their commitment to Coombsville, however, began first with a family home more than a decade ago. In alignment with biodynamic principles, they devoted much of their first property to the production of food: fruit trees, vegetables, honey, eggs. And, finally, Annie planted an acre of dry-farmed Sauvignon Blanc – a vineyard of her own. But Favia Wines was still without a home. The historic Carbone property, now 6.5 acres along Coombsville Road, then presented Annie and Andy the opportunity to sharpen their vision for Favia Wines with the privilege to own both a winery and home in Coombsville. Using a trove of historical documents and testimony from descendants of Antonio Carbone, they embarked on a full restoration of the original residence – and now live above their resting wine barrels. The historical documents have taken Annie and Andy into the fields, too, with comprehensive logs of the Carbone’s produce. In addition to the existing two acre walnut orchard, they have planted fruit trees, and an olive grove. But their engagement with the property extends beyond providing sustenance – and further back to before the arrival of the Carbones. The property is bisected by Witweather creek, which is all but dry by late spring. Always with water consciousness at the forefront of their decisions, the Favia-Ericksons have restored the local ecology with native plants, many of which historically provided utility to indigenous people. As relentless students, their approach to the vineyard and its surrounding lands is holistic. In service of “the whole household of nature,” they ask, how will seemingly localized decisions ultimately affect the vineyard, and further out, the appellation, and yet further, the valley and the Bay Area?

Tasting Notes

In a class of her own, La Magdalena is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon from the renowned Oakville Ranch, high in the eastern hills of Napa Valley’s most famous appellation. Vintage 2018 has already been recognized as something special. This is certainly reflected in the 2018 La Magdalena, which shows all of the excitement we expect from this vineyard but magnified through the lens of such an outstanding season. Purity, intensity, and balance are on display, with all the richness and structure that we expect. Black currant, rose, dark chocolate, and licorice are presented on a wave of finely rounded tannin and dense blue and black fruits. This wine will certainly age for decades, but right now, in its youth, with a gentle decanting, it is immediately seductive and satisfying.

Critics Scores

Jeb Dunnuck | 99 pts

Robert Parker | 93 pts