More About the 2023 Faust Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon A modern benchmark, Faust sets a high standard with its 2023 release, recently awarded 96 points by James Suckling. Power is easy in Napa. Precision is more challenging. The 2023 Faust shows that true excellence comes from balance. Drawn largely from Faust’s Coombsville estate, it captures the cool southern edge of the valley, where extended hang time preserves acidity, structure, and nuance. Coombsville gives the wine its edge. Volcanic soils and steady bay influence temper ripeness and carve definition into the fruit, trading sheer mass for line and length. The cooler 2023 season enhanced these traits, guiding flavors toward precision rather than power. What emerges is a Cabernet that feels grounded and deliberate, its mineral undertone carrying through from first impression to final note. Aged for 20 months in oak, the 2023 Faust retains its fruit purity while refining its frame. Dark currant and blackberry unfold with measured intensity, supported by fine-grained tannins and a subtle mineral thread that carries through the finish. The wine delivers an equilibrium of depth and structure. It drinks beautifully now, yet clearly possesses the balance and backbone to evolve with time.