For more than a decade, Favia’s Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon existed only in memory, eclipsed by the winery’s celebrated single vineyard bottlings. Now, after a 10 year absence, the wine has returned with renewed purpose, combining two of Napa Valley’s most distinguished growing regions into a single expression of place. The result is a sophisticated Cabernet that reflects decades of expertise while offering remarkable value in the increasingly rarefied world of luxury Napa wine.

A Long Awaited Return

In an era when scarcity often defines prestige, few wine releases have generated as much quiet anticipation among collectors as the return of Favia’s Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine disappeared after the 2013 vintage as founders Andy Erickson and Annie Favia shifted their focus toward highly allocated, single vineyard wines that showcased individual sites across Napa Valley.

That strategic decision helped cement Favia’s reputation among serious collectors. Yet the absence of a broader Napa Valley blend left many enthusiasts wondering whether the winery would ever revisit the concept. More than a decade later, the answer has arrived in the form of the 2023 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, a release that feels less like a revival and more like the beginning of an exciting new chapter.

Rather than simply recreating the original wine, Erickson and Favia have used the intervening years to redefine what a Napa Valley blend can represent in today’s landscape.

A Partnership Built on Excellence

Andy Erickson and Annie Favia have long been regarded as two of Napa Valley’s most accomplished talents, although they rarely seek the spotlight. Together, their combined experience spans many of California’s most prestigious estates, giving them an unrivalled understanding of both vineyard management and winemaking.

Erickson has helped shape wines at legendary producers including Screaming Eagle, Harlan Estate, Spottswoode, Dalle Valle, and To Kalon Vineyard Company. His reputation has been built on crafting Cabernet Sauvignon with elegance rather than excess, emphasizing precision, balance, and longevity.

Favia, meanwhile, developed her expertise in viticulture through years of working alongside renowned vineyard manager David Abreu. Her career has included stewardship of vineyards for iconic Napa names such as Newton Vineyard, Corison, Ovid, Bryant Family, Staglin, and Colgin.

Together, they represent a rare partnership where vineyard and cellar expertise exist in equal measure. Their own winery has always reflected this philosophy, placing exceptional importance on farming before winemaking ever begins.

Two Appellations, One Vision

The 2023 vintage introduces a compelling new direction by uniting fruit from two distinct Napa Valley appellations.

The first comes from Favia’s established estate in Coombsville, the cool southern district known for producing Cabernet Sauvignon with freshness, savoury complexity, and finely structured tannins. Influenced by cooling breezes from nearby San Pablo Bay, Coombsville consistently delivers wines with vibrant acidity and aromatic lift.

The second component originates from the couple’s recently acquired 86 acre property in Oakville, where approximately 60 acres have been planted to vines. Oakville occupies one of Napa Valley’s most celebrated addresses, producing Cabernet Sauvignon renowned for its richness, concentration, and commanding structure.

The marriage of these two sites creates a wine that balances power with restraint. Oakville contributes density and generosity, while Coombsville introduces brightness, elegance, and layered complexity. Together they offer a broader portrait of Napa Valley than either appellation could achieve alone.

For Erickson, this combination represents the fullest expression of Napa Valley, allowing both terroirs to complement rather than compete with one another.

Cabernet Franc as the Signature

One of the defining characteristics of the new release is the inclusion of 20 percent Cabernet Franc, a variety that has become central to Favia’s identity.

While many Napa Cabernet blends rely only on small percentages of supporting varieties, Erickson and Favia intentionally elevate Cabernet Franc to a far more prominent role. The grape contributes floral aromatics, lifted perfume, herbal nuance, and additional layers of complexity that distinguish the wine from more conventional Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons.

Rather than softening the wine, Cabernet Franc expands its personality, bringing fragrance and finesse to the richness of Cabernet Sauvignon. It also reflects the couple’s longstanding admiration for the variety, which has featured prominently throughout their portfolio.

The result is a Cabernet that possesses impressive concentration without sacrificing freshness or elegance.

The Advantage of the 2023 Vintage

Timing has also played a crucial role in the wine’s success.

The 2023 growing season offered conditions that many winemakers considered close to ideal. Generous winter rainfall replenished groundwater reserves following years of drought, while a relatively cool spring and moderate summer allowed grapes to mature slowly and evenly.

Extended autumn weather provided additional hang time, enabling fruit to achieve complete phenolic ripeness while preserving natural acidity. The finished wines display intense colour, expressive aromatics, and substantial structure balanced by remarkable freshness.

For Favia, these conditions aligned perfectly with the winery’s philosophy of minimal intervention.

Rather than manipulating the fruit during fermentation, Erickson focuses on careful extraction to preserve purity and site expression. The wine spends approximately 20 months in barrel before being bottled without fining or filtration, preserving texture and complexity while allowing each vineyard component to remain clearly defined.

Luxury Without the Four Figure Price Tag

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the release is its positioning within today’s Napa Valley market.

Luxury Cabernet prices have climbed steadily over the past decade, with many sought after labels now commanding several hundred dollars per bottle and some exceeding four figures on release.

Against that backdrop, Favia’s Napa Valley Cabernet enters the market at approximately $150.

While hardly inexpensive, it represents compelling value considering the pedigree behind the label. The same team responsible for producing some of Napa Valley’s most collectible wines has created a bottle that remains comparatively accessible to enthusiasts seeking exceptional craftsmanship without entering the ultra luxury pricing tier.

The wine also serves as an introduction to the Favia portfolio, sitting below the winery’s highly allocated single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc bottlings while maintaining the same uncompromising standards.

From Napa Valley to Bordeaux

The wine’s distribution strategy further reinforces its international ambitions.

Alongside select restaurants and fine wine retailers across the United States, the Cabernet is being offered through the historic Place de Bordeaux, one of the world’s most influential fine wine distribution networks.

Its inclusion reflects growing international recognition for California’s finest producers, placing Favia alongside many of the world’s most prestigious estates within Bordeaux’s centuries old marketplace.

For global collectors, the release signals increasing confidence that Napa Valley’s greatest wines deserve a permanent place among the world’s elite fine wine offerings.

A Cabernet Made for the Table

Despite its collectability, the wine was designed to be enjoyed with food.

Its combination of ripe fruit, vibrant acidity, and refined tannins makes it an ideal companion for premium cuts of beef, particularly dry aged steaks with generous marbling. The wine possesses sufficient structure to stand alongside richly flavoured dishes while maintaining enough freshness to cleanse the palate between bites.

That balance reflects the philosophy behind the entire project. Rather than pursuing sheer power or extraction, Erickson and Favia have crafted a Cabernet intended to deliver both immediate pleasure and graceful evolution over time.

A Defining Release for Modern Napa

The return of Favia’s Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon arrives at an important moment for the region. As prices continue to escalate and collectors increasingly seek authenticity alongside prestige, wines that combine exceptional provenance with thoughtful pricing have become increasingly rare.

More importantly, the 2023 release demonstrates that greatness in Napa Valley does not require excess. Through meticulous vineyard selection, restrained winemaking, and a deep understanding of terroir, Andy Erickson and Annie Favia have created a Cabernet that captures the diversity of Napa Valley in a single bottle.

After more than a decade away, its return feels not simply overdue, but perfectly timed. It is a wine that honours the past while confidently pointing toward the future of one of California’s most respected luxury producers.

Written By: Lydia Kelly

Published: 8th July 2026