“Another pleasure-bent, incredibly dark fruited, balanced 2019 with lots to love.” – Jeb Dunnuck

Faustini Fiends! Yes, yes, you Operative, who just won’t give up asking for more Secret Veil. We’ve seen the posts in the group and heard the clamoring for more. If you had any of the previous Faustini, or you just fancy yourself someone who likes a “pleasure-bent, incredibly dark fruited” Cabernet with “lots to love” then this is your Ace in the hole.

Here’s another insane 60% OFF deal with 94 points from the same meticulous winemaking and impeccable fruit sources (like George III, hello?)

Don’t let the plain old “Napa Cab” label fool you; this is their actual flagship wine, hot and rare as any of their releases, and made by Clos du Val and Opus One alum Kian Tavakoli.

Fausitini is one of those insider gem secret wineries that quietly racks up big accolades each year. And with sometime in the library, their wines have a proven track record to sweep you off your feet. This 2019 could not be a better example. It’s a blend from their top barrels coming from all over the cult following sites of the valley, north to south, and is a true showcase of Napa’s greatness.

Tech tycoons turned vintners, Anthony and Michelle Faustini, are true perfectionists. Enough to end up on the short list of wineries with access to highly allocated vineyards. Napa Wine Project recites the story: “Anthony Faustini has been a wine collector for many years. Looking to transition from serious collector to winemaker, he began his research on Long Island in New York, visiting wineries and trying numerous wines. Looking to expand his palate and wanting to make a California wine, he came to Napa Valley, where he was introduced to Crushpad when they were located in San Francisco. Faustini’s first commercial vintage was tiny - merely 50 cases from the Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard in St. Helena.”

Cassis, graphite, cedar, licorice, tobacco, and flowers define the intoxicating perfume. It’s seamless and round on the palate with fine-grained tannins, lovely precision, and a floral lift to the dark berries with a violet edge. Impressively complex and intense, with a deft touch of seamlessness only top winemakers can add. It finishes with terrific sappy perfume and a richly tannic core hinting at extended aging joys to come, should you have the patience to stay away from it. Half a case or more, it’s the right thing to do.

Like all Faustini releases, especially those from the library, it’s LIMITED, fair warning.

94 Points – The Wine Independent “The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is made from 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec, and 2% Merlot. Deep garnet-purple colored, it leaps with vibrant notes of crushed black and red currants, mulberries, and black raspberries, plus suggestions of dried mint, unsmoked cigars, and crushed rocks. The medium to full-bodied palate is taut with muscular black fruits and a firm, grainy texture, finishing on a lingering mineral note. Drink 2023-2036.”

92+ Points – Jeb Dunnuck “The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley offers ample dark fruits as well as notes of sappy tobacco and black olives. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a forward yet delicious vibe, it’s another pleasure-bent, incredibly dark fruited, balanced 2019 with lots to love. Drink bottles any time over the coming 10-15 years. 265 cases made. Drink 2022-2037.”