Fun night of cali cabs. 88 Mayacamas, 06 Lewis and 11 Faust — 6 years ago
Quintessa has created some amazing wines under their Faust label. Their numbered bottles of "the Lure" and "the Pact" have stood out rivaling their flagship wines. Bold and full-bodied Cabernet dominates the forward fruit. But it's not overpowering; the palate transitions into a complex lingering finish. Really enjoyed. Find it and try. Cheers!! — 7 years ago
First night stand (with my coravin).
This was my first love (in the wine world) shortly after popping my wine-cherry. But didn't appreciate it to its fullest till now. Maybe it just aged well, maybe my awareness of all the different characteristics got better...in any case, I fell in love all over again...
Nose: Perfectly ripe blackberries and deep ruby cherries. Nice baking spices. The 2012 Faust smells like a $5-bottle in comparison (even though it cost about the same price the times that I became proud owners of both, especially with this particular bottle back when I was a poor graduating college student). Maybe that's how 9 years of experience affects your maturity...maybe I just need to drink more wine and edumacate myself, which I don't mind.
Tongue/mouth: Even though it's 12 years old, the tannins hold on for dear life to your taste buds (hasn't really incorporated itself to the rest of the nicely developed parts of its body). Drink with something fatty (like my short rib I happened to have). Then you can really enjoy the berriness of the wine.
I'm just so purely happy that I can enjoy a taste of it without the guilt of having to commit to it fully and leave it [the bottle] feeling empty. Thank you, Cory. — 8 years ago
A classic Bordeaux style blend dominated by 82% Cab Sauv with Merlot, Petit Verdot & Cab Franc from several estate vineyards. Aged for 19 months in 30% new French Oak. Deep Ruby, aromas of fresh berry fruits with cedar and spice. On the palate sweet blackberry and blueberry fruit, with savory oak & cacao notes. Smooth sweet tannins, savory, with an herb & mineral touch on the long finish. Nice! A Fav! Good value! Tasting Sample! — 3 years ago
100% Skin Fermented, Amphora aged Chardonnay from the Loire. Strange and oddly delicious at the same time.
Bouquet of baked apples and pears and fresh cinnamon. Also a bit of baked lemon and fresh herbs. The oxidative quality continues across the palate with baked apples and lemons. Did I mention it is also Biodynamic? — 6 years ago
Very good not great. Prefer Faust or Groth at. Steakhouse but the wine did get better as it opened up. — 7 years ago
Excellent... But it's interesting to compare this to #1 tonight--- Faust..both 2016 Napa cabs. Faust was $52, Krug $29. So what's the difference? A lot, you be the judge if it's worth 23 bucks. Take the Faust, and remove the blackberry, leaving a greenish-pine alcohol warmed bouquet. Take the spherical mouth of Faust and shave it such that you have angular, sharp edges. Then Krug ends with a dryer, perfumed drying tannins.
So, this is an excellent wine, about 1.5 points below the Faust. So make your own calculation, but to me, I'd spend the money for the upgrade.
91 points — 3 years ago
Earthy, but smooth. Robust yet palatable. Subtle in all the right ways. Tastes a lot Faust. — 7 years ago
Great valley floor fruit! Perfect vintage! — 8 years ago
Jennifer Sparks
Velvety. Quite drinkable. — 20 days ago