Favia in the News:
A superstar couple carve their own path - San Francisco Chronicle 6/13/2010
New York Times: Noshing in Napa
Syrah Amador County Quarzo 2007- 95 points
Immense and expressive, offering broad, expansive layers of wild berry and blackberry, fresh, loamy earth, pepper, spice and nutmeg, with a rich mouthfeel that lets the berry fruit fan out and gain nuance and complexity. Drink now through 2017. From California. - J.L.
- Wine Spectator Insider
Rompecabezas Amador County 2007- 93 points
Wonderfully pure, ripe, fleshy and grapey wild berry, black cherry and plummy berry flavors have an enticing spicy, peppery edge. Elegant, full-bodied, complex and layered, this is simply delicious to drink, with a long, persistent finish. Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. Drink now through 2015.—J.L.
- Wine Spectator Insider
2006 Favia Wines Quarzo Amador Syrah
A joint effort from viticulturist Annie Favia and husband Andy Erickson (Screaming Eagle). Made with one-third whole clusters, it's full of subtle power, with meaty blue plum and smoky dry earth notes. Opulent brown spices cap intense layers of flavor. Named in tribute to the quartz found in the Amador soils.
Wine Advocate, December 2009
Talk about an impressive resume, Annie Favia is married to superstar winemaking consultant Andy Erickson, but she easily stands on her own merits having trained under John Kongsgaard at Newton, worked in David Abreu’s management company for eleven years, then launched her own brand of wines in 2003. This is my first look as these limited cuvees (production ranges from just under 100 cases for La Magdalena to nearly 200 cases of the Cerro Sur). La Magdalena, a Cabernet Franc-dominated wine, comes from David Abreu’s Madrona Ranch Vineyard at the foot of Spring Mountain, the Cabernet Sauvignon comes from two separate Napa regions, St. Helena and Coombsville, and the Cerro Sur comes from the Rancho Chimiles in southern Napa Valley. The three 2006s I tasted represent the third commercial offerings from Annie Favia.
2006 Favia Cabernet Sauvignon
Robert Parker, 95 points
The outstanding 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot) offers notes of unsmoked high-class cigar tobacco, licorice, blue and black fruits, subtle smoke, and camphor. This deep, rich, full-bodied wine should drink beautifully for 20+ years.
2006 Favia Cerro Sur
Robert Parker, 94 points
The riveting 2006 Cerro Sur is composed of 72% Cabernet Franc and 28% Cabernet Sauvignon. Notes of white chocolate, bay leaf, red and black fruits, and dusty, loamy soil comprise the complex aromatics. Exceptionally fragrant as well as deep, broad, and savory with medium to full body, stunning depth and fruit purity, and velvety tannins, this 2006 should drink beautifully for 15+ years.
2006 Favia La Magdalena
Robert Parker, 89 points
The 2006 La Magdalena, a blend of 58% Cabernet Franc and 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, it exhibits notes of lead pencil shavings, blue fruits, subtle smoke, and forest floor. While medium-bodied and elegant, it is the least impressive wine in this fascinating portfolio.
Cabernet Q & A: Napa Valley Winemaker Andy Erickson, Wine Spectator
2009 Top 100 Wines, San Francisco Chronicle
Winemaker Talk: Andy Erickson, Wine Spectator
California's best lesser-known vineyards, San Francisco Chronicle
Female Vineyard Managers, San Francisco Chronicle
