2018 Favia 'Cerro Sur' Proprietary Red Napa Valley
Good gravy! This is what red blends should be, balanced, nuanced, and with a long finish that seems to last for days. Jeb Dunnuck agrees, “More meaty notes of red and black currants, mulled cherries, tobacco, roasted herbs, and chocolate emerge from the 2018 Cerro Sur, and this beauty brings full-bodied richness, plenty of mid-palate depth, and building tannins on the palate. This rich, meaty, expansive, beautifully textured 2018 has plenty of up-front appeal yet should benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and cruise for 15-20 years in cold cellars.” This wine has everything you could want.
You simply can’t make great wine without great grapes. Viticulturist Annie Favia learned this firsthand working for David Abreu for many years. Working with Abreu, she helped to plant Screaming Eagle. And of course this was after she studied winemaking with the likes of John Kongsgaard and Cathy Corison. Annie’s husband, Andy Erickson, is one of the most accomplished winemakers working in Napa right now. A valley resident since 1994, and a full time consultant since 2011, Erickson is currently leading the revitalization of Mayacamas Vineyards, and has worked for no less than Screaming Eagle, Harlan, Staglin, Dalla Valle, and Arietta. That’s about as good as an American winemaker’s resume can get. It’s hard to think of a more accomplished dream team working in the Valley right now. And they’re under one roof at their historic family home and cellar in Coombsville. Annie and Andy produce flawless, exquisitely crafted wines that are sold primarily to their mailing list and to restaurants.
Jeb Dunnuck
More meaty notes of red and black currants, mulled cherries, tobacco, roasted herbs, and chocolate emerge from the 2018 Cerro Sur, and this beauty brings full-bodied richness, plenty of mid-palate depth, and building tannins on the palate. This rich, meaty, expansive, beautifully textured 2018 has plenty of up-front appeal yet should benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and cruise for 15-20 years in cold cellars.