Like a proud parent, there are certain wines we take pleasure in watching grow up over the years. Faust Cabernet Sauvignon is a staff favorite and is one of those wines. I almost get a tear when I think of this wine in its infancy—started by the prestige ownership of Huneeus Vintners, the creator of such elite wineries as Quintessa, Flowers, Leviathan, and Benton-Lane. The real parents of Faust wines are Augustin Huneeus, former CEO of Concha y Toro, later CEO of Franciscan Estates, and his wife Valeria and accomplished microbiologist, viticulturist, and vineyard architect. One might say that the Huneeus couple has the Midas touch when creating wineries. However, that would trivialize their accomplishments because the golden wineries they create are due to experience, hard work, and hiring the best people in the industry.

The name Faust is based on an old German legend. The name is a tribute to Dr. Faust, a scholar and respected man of society who the Devil tempted to seek new, renewed passion and youth in exchange for his soul. After years of first-hand engagement with top wineries in Chile and California, Faust is indeed the fruit of renewed passion for Agustin Huneeus. However, Mephistopheles has not yet appeared to claim his soul.

Located adjacent to Hobbs' vineyards, Faust's 130-acre property was planted by the Huneeus family in 1998 under the guidance of Valeria Huneeus, making it one of the earliest vineyard developments in Coombsville, Napa's newest AVA. What drew Valeria to this never-planted before, former dairy farm, besides the beautiful creeks and native trees teeming with wildlife, was the diversity of soil, elevation, exposition, and climate, all in one single estate. Located just east of the town of Napa, close to San Pablo Bay, Coombsville is a physically cooler region. Besides being the latest-to-ripen vines in Napa, the soil profiles are very different given it's closer to the Vaca Mountain range, so there is a lot of eroded volcanic soil, which means lots of minerals in the soil. Wines from the Coombsville AVA have a refreshing brightness and minerality not always found in Napa wines.

There are 112 acres planted, primarily to Cabernet Sauvignon, with a bit of Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot, and Sauvignon Blanc; the site is farmed organically. General manager Jennifer Beloz has worked with the Huneeus family since 2011 and moved to the Faust project in 2015. Talking about her love for the Coombsville area and how it differs from the rest of Napa, "It's not Highway 29" (The main north-south artery in Napa that attracts more tourists than Disney)."The town of Napa is just 10 minutes away, but people here still have horses and cattle along the road. It's different here." And it's not just the aesthetic that's different. With the breezes of San Pablo Bay exerting their influence, Coombsville is the third-coolest AVA in Napa, behind Carneros and Atlas Peak. With the cooler temps, there are fewer disease pressures than up-valley. But that isn't what caught Beloz off guard. "I came in with a redevelopment plan, figuring as the vineyard hit 20 or 25 years of age, we'd need to start replanting," she says. "But then I found out we didn't need it."

David Jelinek handles winemaking and is not your typical winemaker. He is known to love surfing and rock climbing and once toured the United States while living out of a VW bus. Following stints at Epoch, Harlan. and Groth, he joined the Huneeus team in 2010 and Faust in 2015. "Varietal change and virus issues have been the main drivers of that cyclical replanting in Napa," says Buckland. "Napa is now majority Cabernet, as is this site. And we've managed virus issues here by pulling out a single vine as soon as we see any signs of it or using varying pruning methods. Going forward, vineyards like this one should be the 40-, 50-, 60-year-old vineyards of Napa's future."

The core of Faust comes from our Coombsville Estate as well as from our vineyards in Rutherford and Oakville. We also source grapes from hillside and cooler regions of the Napa Valley. This wine jumps out of the glass with aromas of fresh black cherry and plum. Layers of savory cherry compote, earth, cedar and graphite are rounded out by a long finish with hints of dark chocolate, balanced acidity and minerality.

83% Cabernet Sauvignon blended with Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc

Very attractive aromas of blackcurrants, black olives and dark leather with some cedar. It's full-bodied with firm, silky tannins and a refined, polished finish. Shows finesse and focus. Grows on the palate. Really delicious now, but will improve with age. James Suckling 94 pts

Distinctive, with sweet bay leaf, sassafras and a sanguine note all taking the lead, while a core of gently mulled red currant and blackberry fruit follows. Shows a nice herbaceous/brambly energy through the finish. Wine Spectator 92 pts



Blended with Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, this full-bodied, highly expressive red is made from Coombsville estate grapes as well as grapes from sites in Rutherford and Oakville. It presents concentrated, burly black-fruit notes tempered by savory clove, espresso, leather, and toasted oak. Wine Enthusiast 92 pts

Faust Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 

With all the talk of global warming and the heat spikes that Napa and other wine-growing areas have to endure during a vintage, you can see why cooler growing regions such as Coombsville are a hot topic. Faust Cabernet, although it is full-bodied, it is not ponderous or stewed. Complexities on the nose and palate suggest black fruit, spice, and tobacco leaf. Juicy across the palate, with the spices showing on the bouquet also showing towards the finish. Cracked peppercorn. Lingers slightly savory. The tannins are well managed and nicely integrated into the finish. Balanced and approachable for such a well-made wine. This is the last we can get of 2018, and 2019 will be in shortly at a higher price. Quantities are limited, and we will run out.

Regular Price: $49.98

*Sale price is on 3 or more bottles

Wine is packed in a 12-bottle case