You’ve seen the label. That minimalist, bold black-and-white "Faust" scrawled across the bottle. It looks like something a graphic designer would obsess over, but the liquid inside is what’s actually causing the stir right now. Specifically, the Faust Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 has hit a weird kind of critical mass. It’s not just another Napa Cab; it’s currently sitting at number four on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list for 2024.
That’s a big deal. Usually, that list is dominated by three-hundred-dollar bottles you can’t find unless you know a guy who knows a guy. But Faust? You can actually find it. And you can actually afford it without taking out a second mortgage.
What’s the big deal with the 2021 vintage?
Honestly, 2021 in Napa was kind of a "Goldilocks" year. After the stress of 2020 (we don't talk about the fires), 2021 brought a cool, steady growing season. The berries were small. Tiny, actually. In the wine world, small berries mean one thing: concentration. You get more skin-to-juice ratio, which translates to that deep, teeth-staining color and those grippy tannins people crave in a big red.
The Faust Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 isn't just a "fruit bomb," though. It’s got this savory, herbal edge that keeps it from being boring. Think black currant and blackberry, sure, but then there’s this weirdly pleasant hit of cedar, graphite, and maybe a little bit of dark chocolate. It’s complex. It’s moody.
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The Coombsville Secret
Most people think of Napa and picture the scorching heat of St. Helena or Calistoga. Faust does things differently. About half the fruit for the Faust Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 comes from their estate in Coombsville.
Coombsville is the "cool kid" of Napa AVAs—literally. It’s tucked into the southeastern corner of the valley, right where the fog rolls in from the San Pablo Bay. Because it’s cooler, the grapes hang on the vine longer. They get "hang time." This builds acidity. That’s why this wine doesn't feel like a heavy blanket on your tongue; it has a "skip in its step," as critic Lisa Perrotti-Brown put it.
The rest of the blend is a bit of a Napa Greatest Hits tour:
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- Yountville and Oakville: Adding that plush, velvet texture.
- Rutherford: Bringing that famous "dust" and structure.
- The Blend: It’s actually 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the rest filled out by Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc.
Drinking it now vs. Stashing it away
If you pull the cork tonight, decant it. Seriously. This wine is "tight" right now. It needs air to breathe, to open up those violet and ganache notes that James Suckling raved about in his 95-point review.
But if you have a cool dark closet or a wine fridge, buy a few. The 2021 vintage has the bones to last. Most experts are saying it’ll hit its peak between 2026 and 2036. It’s a rare bird that tastes expensive now but will actually grow into its price tag over the next decade.
Is it worth the hype?
In a world where Napa prices are spiraling out of control, Faust feels like a glitch in the system. It’s a high-production wine—about 50,000 cases—which usually means "commercial" or "safe." But winemaker David Jelinek has managed to keep it feeling boutique. It’s polished, sure, but it’s not soulless. It tastes like it came from a place, not a laboratory.
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Actionable Tips for your First Bottle
If you’re ready to dive into a bottle of Faust Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, don’t just pour it into a plastic cup at a BBQ. Treat it with a little respect to get your money's worth.
- Temperature Matters: Don't drink it "room temperature" if your room is 75°F. Give it 20 minutes in the fridge before opening. You want it around 60-65°F to keep the alcohol (14.5%) from feeling hot.
- The Glassware: Use a big Bordeaux glass. The wider bowl helps those aromas of cedar and briar fruit reach your nose.
- The Food: This is a protein wine. It loves a fatty steak, but surprisingly, it works with earthy dishes too. Think mushroom risotto or even a burger with some blue cheese. The acidity from the Coombsville fruit cuts right through the fat.
- Where to Buy: Look for it at major retailers like Total Wine or local high-end bottle shops. Since it hit the Top 100 list, it's moving fast, so if you see it under $60, grab it.
The Faust Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 is a benchmark. It’s the wine that proves Napa can still do "elegant power" without charging five hundred bucks a bottle. Whether you're a collector or just want a killer bottle for a Saturday night dinner, this is the one to track down before the 2022s take over the shelves.
To get the most out of your purchase, check the back label for the specific bottling date if you can; while all 2021s are stellar, some of the later-released magnums have shown even more integration in early tastings. If you find a 1.5L bottle, buy it for a dinner party—it's an instant conversation starter that actually lives up to the aesthetic.