As Robert Whitney said in his 94 Point Wine Review Online review of Faust Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2012:
"If the price were $75 most Napa devotees wouldn't even blink."
After all, it's on dozens of top steakhouse wine lists around the country at $100+ and its "big brother" Quintessa Cabernet blend goes for $150+.
So, now that Michel Rolland consults here and Faust is the best we've ever tasted, it's a better deal still at $44.98 for bottles or a case price that matches the lowest we've ever offered.
How low is the case price? Well, you'll need to do a little math (multiply $44.98 by 0.89 and subtract a few cents and you'll get it). The Huneeus family sells Faust Cabernet Napa at the winery for $54.99 and would like to see it going for $50+ nationwide. To get this deal for you, we promised not to publish a sub $44.98 price or list it on our website. So, to get the case deal, email us or give us a call at 703.356.6500.
For those of you who don't know the Faust story, a bit of background. Faust was founded and is owned by Agustin Huneeus, who started (and still owns) Quintessa in California's Napa Valley. Most high-end producers who start a second label are really looking for an outlet for wine that isn't good enough to make the cut for the primary brand.
The situation is different with Faust. Quintessa is a single-vineyard wine that's intended to reflect the specific characteristics of the Quintessa vineyard located in the heart of the "Rutherford Bench" in Napa Valley. In creating Faust, Huneeus sought to create a wine that reflected the character of a broader swath of Napa. Fruit for Faust is drawn from vineyards Huneeus purchased next-door to Quintessa in Rutherford as well as new vineyards in the Atlas Peak area.
The goal is to produce a wine that is equal to Quintessa in quality, but that is more approachable young and costs less than Quintessa's normal $150 price.
We loved the 2005, 2006, and 2007 editions of Faust, but later vintages were a little less compelling. Not that they weren't good - the wine has remained a non-stop favorite at steakhouses and top white tablecloth restaurants. But our standards for $50 Napa Cabernet are pretty high, and we felt you could do better with other choices in 2008 - 2011.
As soon as we tasted the 2012 Faust, we knew things had changed in a big - and positive - way. The richness and powerful ripe fruit - black currant, raspberry, and dark cherry - were there in spades along with generous doses of dark chocolate and spice. But the wine's texture was more creamy and dense than we'd ever tasted before, the finish longer, and the big, steak-friendly tannins more sweet, supple, and sophisticated. Here was a $55 Napa Cab that actually over-delivered at the release price.
What happened? Certainly the great 2012 vintage helped, as did a few more years' vine-age in Agustin Huneeus's vineyards in both Rutherford and the new AVA of Coombsville. But we also see the influence of Faust's consulting winemaker, Bordeaux legend Michel Rolland. In a vintage where some wines got almost too big and rich, Rolland helped add a touch of refinement to this Napa Valley powerhouse.
Faust 2012 has enough stuffing and density to develop nicely in cellar over the next decade, but it's so full of ripe fruit, chocolaty oak, and supple on the spicy finish that there's no need to wait. With a prime grilling weekend on the horizon, enjoy a few bottles with steaks and burgers now and keep some to pair with roasts or lamb for years to come.
At $44.98 by the bottle and 11% or so less by the case, it's one of the finest super-premium Napa Cabernet buys you'll see all year!
- Doug House
Chain Bridge Cellars |
