2003 La Magdalena
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Tasting notes
The dark ruby/plum-tinged 2003 La Magdalena is another Cabernet Franc/Cabernet Sauvignon blend that came in at 14.8% natural alcohol. A completely different set of aromatics includes scents of forest floor, spring flowers and red fruits. Juicy, medium-bodied and elegant with superb purity as well as beautiful texture and length, this impressive, stylish 2003 proves that wines of profound elegance can be produced in Napa Valley. Drink it over the next 7-8 years. These wines come from the talented husband and wife team of Anna Favia and Andy Erickson. Tel. (707) 256-0875
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Cabernet Franc/Cabernet Sauvignon about 50/50 from famous viticulturist David Abreu’s Madrone Ranch vineyard in St Helena at the base of Spring Mountain on the west side. 'When I was working at Corison I remember going back to this one lot of Cab Franc over and over,' Annie told me, 'it was so compelling.' Favia and Erickson bought the fruit of five rows on French budwood – not enough to sell to anyone else. So they took it into their basement, in 1998, and bottled ‘shiners’ (unlabelled bottles) from it. They made that through to 2003. In 2000 Abreu planted two acres of Cab Franc specially for them, so they started to commercialise the resulting wine in 2003. Plus some older vine Cabernet Sauvignon . The wine is named after their daughter Madeleine. No added acid, native yeasts . Very rich, almost spicy nose. Aromatic and fragrant and gentle on the nose, Light and delicate. Marked acidity on the palate. Dried earth character. Quite lifted and lively though slightly hot on the finish. A bit like a cross between a Corison wine and Screaming Eagle. (JR)
About the producer
Favia is the personal project of cult winemaker Andy Erickson and leading viticulturalist and winemaker Annie Favia. Working in Coombsville and Oakville, they craft single-site, elegant expressions of top Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc that are some of the valley’s highest-rated.