2008 Favia Cerro Sur Napa Valley Red Wine

One of our favorite areas in the Napa Valley is in the hills east of the town of Napa. The rolling hills run through the Coombsville area and rise up to Wooden Valley, then continue east to the Sacramento Valley. This area is unique in Napa Valley, with perfectly drained volcanic soils and mineral-rich alluvial soils, a cooling breeze off the San Francisco Bay, and an infinite array of slopes and exposures. Several years ago we were lucky to find a two-acre slope of 31-year-old Cabernet Franc vines at Rancho Chimiles that are athletically proportioned, balanced but muscular. The wines they produce are similar in character. Whole berry fermentation using native yeasts, French oak barrel aging for 22 months, and bottling without fining or filtration, all help to highlight the complex fruit flavors from these mature vines. As we have for the past several vintages, we blended in Cabernet Sauvignon from the nearby Coombsville district of the Napa Valley. The Cabernet Sauvignon brings breadth and added fruit density to the wine. As always, the Cerro Sur produces a singular, incredibly expressive wine, with notes of cinnamon, red leaf tobacco, and Asian spices. Its natural acidity adds a vibrancy, and knits together the tannin and and the intense red and black fruit flavors that persist on the palate.

66% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon
179 cases produced
$120 per bottle

This vintage is currently sold out.
The next vintage will be released in the Fall of 2012