A simple premise underlies all of Agustin Huneeus’ wines: great wines reflect great vineyards. Faust is a wine that also pays tribute to a grape, Cabernet Sauvignon, arguably Napa Valley’s noblest grape at its rich, full-bodied peak.

Faust combines fruit from the Huneeus family vineyards in Rutherford and Coombsville, their Napa Valley appellation in the eastern foothills south of Atlas Peak. Agustin’s relationships with growers in other Napa appellations, including Yountville, Mount Veeder, Atlas Peak, St. Helena, and Rutherford, round out the complexity of the wine with small lots from spectacular mountain and valley terroirs.

Crafted at the state-of-the-art Quintessa winery in Rutherford, grapes were hand-picked, double-sorted, gently crushed and then cold-soaked and fermented in stainless steel and French oak vessels. The wine macerated on skins for up to three weeks following fermentation then transferred to French oak barrels (30% new, 70% single use) to age for 19 months.

Faust is a benchmark in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon opening with a perfume of red and black cherries, ripe raspberry, and violet. Lush blackberry, cassis, coffee, and dark chocolate flavours follow with a long and complex finish of dark fruit. Pair with BBQ beef ribs, aged cheddar or other bold dishes.

“Focused on cabernet from the Faust estate in Coombsville, this includes fruit from the Huneeus family’s vineyards in Yountville and Oak Knoll, all relatively cool districts that combine in a brisk, red-fruited cabernet with cherry freshness. A bright young thing with a lot to say, it tastes like just-picked fruit, its spicy tannins supple and gracious, cool and lasting.”
93 points, Joshua Greene, Wine & Spirits, October 2023