In German folklore, Faust is a scholar who becomes disenchanted with life and makes a deal with the devil in exchange for another chance at youth. While we certainly do not recommend deals like that – this wine is powerfully good.
We popped open the Faust 2012 Napa Cabernet after returning from a visit to Veritas Cork & Craft and dinner at the Registry Bistro. While this wine can age for six to eight more years, we just couldn’t wait.
Faust is a blend of 80% Cabernet, 16% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. The 2012 vintage was considered ideal in Napa, with an early spring, classic Napa summer and no problems with rain.
In the glass this is deep ruby in color with ripe berry scents wafting about. It is succulent with rich notes of cherry and blackberry. The body is lush and the finish long lasting.
We used our new TRIbella aerator, which allows the wine to cascade into the glass in three separate streams. It added some entertainment value to the pouring of the wine and, we think, helped the wine open up.
This wine is aged for 19 months in French oak, 30% of which was new. Faust, however, is not overly tannic. It is smooth and rewarding and we expect that even more complexity will come with bottle age. We suggest buying a couple bottles – one to drink now and another to lay down for another three years.
Faust is devilishly good. We give it two purple thumbs up.
Full disclosure: We received this bottle as a marketing sample.
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