FAVIA
NAPA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA 2023
WHY BUY: This is a Napa statement wine: a big, bold, beautiful 98-point Cabernet from one of the greatest and most consistently rewarding small producers in the Valley, and, at just $125 a bottle, priced for stocking up. This is a new project for Favia, a powerful, one-two expression built with fruit from elite terroirs in Oakville and Coombsville: the former brings depth and staying power, the latter provides minerality and definition. And, as always with Favia, you can be confident that they have intervened in the cellar as little as possible, opting to let that gorgeous fruit and the ways of time and terroir do the talking instead. One last detail (and one that makes today’s offer even more special): this is an extremely limited-production wine. And “limited” here really means limited: Favia produces only ~2,000 cases annually across all their wines, most of which vanish into their waitlist and private mailing list. That’s what makes today’s access a genuine event. Don’t miss your chance to secure a deeply rewarding and unforgettable Cab.
PEDIGREE: If Huneeus, the family that Favia has partnered with to produce its wines, doesn't ring a bell, many of you are sure to know their stellar label Quintessa (a "temple to a single Bordeaux-style Rutherford wine," in the words of Wine Spectator). And you're sure, as well, to know the name Andy Erickson, the winemaker at Favia — one of the greatest of his generation, revered especially for his legendary stints at Screaming Eagle and Harlan.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: James Suckling awarded 98 points and called it nothing less than "a complete, balanced expression of Napa.” This particular bottling is an equal blend of Coombsville and Oakville, and Suckling zeroed in on exactly why that marriage works: "the fresh, savory, mineral edge of the former intertwining with the deep flavor and floral lift of the latter. Layers of fruit, supported by graphite, dried herbs, flowers and spices, lead to a luscious yet refined palate with finely tuned tannins and a bright line of acidity."
OUR TASTING NOTES: The nose tells you straightaway that this is a wine of seriousness and authority, with its burst of dark fruit leading to a note of graphite and a whisper of dried herbs. But the wonderful thing is, it doesn’t stop there, but keeps adding dimensions, the way a great piece of music reveals new themes on repeated listening. There's real tension here, and an enlivening tension, between Coombsville's mineral austerity and Oakville's generous, vibrant fruit, and this is one of the things (and maybe the thing) that makes this wine so fascinating and rewarding. On the palate, the tannins are present but finely calibrated; you feel the architecture without your being made aware of it. As for the finish, it doesn't end so much as it gradually recede, leaving behind layers of spice, dark cherry, and a faint (and wonderful) savory note.
THE STORY: Husband and wife Annie Favia and Andy Erickson (she’s the viticulturist, he’s the winemaker) like to say their philosophy is simple, but don't be misled by their self-effacement. Their approach is simple only in the sense that they've winnowed their process, through years of trial and error, to its most essential principles. The couple are purists who are in pursuit, not of some abstract goal of perfection but rather of the precise mark for each bottle they produce: wines that showcase, to the fullest extent possible, the character of their terroir and vintage. That means gentle handling, minimal intervention, and extreme vigilance in both field and cellar. That cellar, incidentally, is made of stone, constructed in 1886 by the Carbone family, among the first Italians to set up camp in Napa. There's a reason these wines are among the most soulful and expressive in the Valley. The 2023 vintage marks a new chapter for the couple. Wine Spectator's James Molesworth recently reported how Favia had partnered with the Huneeus family to develop an 86-acre parcel in Oakville, situated between Opus One and Groth on the north side of Oakville Cross Road. The Huneeus family had purchased it in 2018, and allowed it to lie fallow (astonishing, that this could be the case in land-hungry Napa, but true) before replanting it in 2020. Annie Favia oversaw much of the remaining replanting, now nearing completion. The result is a vineyard homebase that expands Favia's reach while deepening its commitment to site-specific winemaking. "Oakville is the power, with all that juicy, broad fruit,’ Annie Favia told Molesworth. "Coombsville is the tannin and savory side. We love that combination.” It’s hard not to.
WHAT TO PAIR IT WITH: A hearty, hedonistic wine needs the same on the plate. Think: dry-aged ribeye or a classic rack of lamb with herbs or a pot of slow-braised short ribs. The wine's structure and length can handle rich, savory preparations like a champ.
FUN FACT: Favia's Cerro Sur Cabernet Franc has received 100-point scores, making them one of the rare Napa producers who can claim perfection from critics for a variety that Cabernet Sauvignon overshadows, and that many wineries eschew.
OUR GUARANTEE: As always, we only buy and source directly from the winery, so rest assured that your wine will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. This allocation is not large, and will not stick around for long. Secure your bottles today.
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Summer 2026. With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer only valid in AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, IN, MA, NJ, NV, SC, TX, & WA. This offer will expire on Sunday, March 8th, 2026.