The Story of Favia Erickson Winegrowers and Oakville Ranch

Favia Erickson Winegrowers is the collaborative project of winemaker Andy Erickson and viticulturist Annie Favia. Their wines are among the most precise and layered in Napa Valley, thanks to their attention to detail and their focus on provenance and vineyard character. The Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville is made entirely from grapes sourced from Oakville Ranch, a high-elevation vineyard between Dalla Valle and Ovid. This part of Oakville is known for its powerful structure, dark aromas, and pronounced minerality.

Oakville Ranch is situated at an altitude where cool nights and slow ripening give the grapes extra concentration and freshness. The soil consists of weathered rock, basalt, and minerals that give the wines a distinct signature: nuance, tension, and a combination of fruit, spice, and stony notes.

The 2021 Wine Year in Oakville

The 2021 vintage is considered an exceptional vintage by many winemakers. The grapes benefited from stable weather, sufficient coolness, and a long ripening period. As a result, the tannins are firm yet refined, and the fruit displays high aromatic intensity. Andy Erickson emphasized that the structure of the 2021 vintage produces wines with exceptional longevity.

The Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville is made entirely from Cabernet Sauvignon and, in this vintage, displays a striking combination of power, nuance, and tension. Favia's precise style is fully expressed here.

Vinification and style of the house

Favia's vinification is all about precision and tranquility. The grapes are harvested by hand and carefully selected. Fermentation takes place in small batches to allow each plot to develop its own unique character. The wine is then aged in oak barrels, with new oak used sparingly to preserve the intensity of the Cabernet Sauvignon and the character of the vineyard.

The result is a wine with a firm structure, deep layers of fruit, and a striking mineral profile. Favia's style is powerful but never heavy; structure and freshness work together to create length and tension.

Color, aroma and taste of the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville

The color is deep purple with an almost opaque core. The nose is immediately expressive, revealing dark cherry, black currant, and ripe blue fruit. Beneath these lie aromas of cedar, spices, and dried leaves, combined with notes of crushed stone and graphite typical of Oakville Ranch. A subtle earthy undertone and the scent of terra cotta and laurel give the wine added depth. Floral nuances such as lavender and soft rose petals add elegance. The combination of red and blue fruit, spices, and mineral tension perfectly reflects the complexity emphasized in the reviews.

On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, intense, and rich, yet remarkably refined. The palate opens with notes of black cherry, cassis, and dark plum, followed by spicy notes, cedar, and a light touch of sage and bark. The structure is firm, supported by ripe tannins that demonstrate a combination of power and refinement. The lively acidity gives the wine freshness and energy. The mid-palate displays depth, with layers of blue fruit, spices, and a subtle mineral tension reminiscent of stony soils.

The texture is layered and precise, with a combination of density and lightness that rarely come together so beautifully. The finish is long, intense, and graceful, with a distinct mineral note, spice, and a hint of dark fruit. The wine has impressive length and already shows its class, but further bottle aging will bring even more layers and nuance.

Reviews

The Wine Advocate – 96 points (Joe Czerwinski): Complex aromas of cedar, cinnamon, cassis, stony notes, and spice. Powerful, intense, structured, and with a long, savory finish.

Vinous – 98 points (Antonio Galloni): Deep dark cherry, minerality, spice, graphite, and chocolate. Explosive, vertical, and highly layered, with a characteristic Oakville Ranch structure.

Suckling – 99 points : Red fruit, terracotta, sage, leaves, blue fruits, and energetic tannins. Intense, precise, and with impressive length.

Would you like to order wines from Favia Erickson Winegrowers online?

If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you these when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, just off the A16 motorway with ample parking. Click here for our address. You can read full wine reviews from publications like Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator.
Need advice on finding the perfect wine to pair with your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grand Cru customers.

Wine and food pairings

• Grilled ribeye with black pepper and rosemary. The powerful tannins and deep fruity notes complement this perfectly.
• Oven-baked leg of lamb with bay leaf and sage. The herbs complement the wine's aromatic tension beautifully.
• Braised beef cheek with vegetables. The intensity and length of the wine enhance the rich character of the dish.
• Mushroom and Parmesan risotto. The earthy notes complement the wine's mineral depth.
• Grilled eggplant with thyme and balsamic vinegar. The wine complements the savory and sweet notes of the dish.
• Aged Gouda or Comté. The concentration and fine tannins make an ideal combination.