Fay Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

1998 | Cabernet Sauvignon
(96.9% Cabernet Sauvignon / 3.1% Merlot)
Stags Leap Wine Cellars; FAY
Napa Valley; California, USA
(90-92; Drink 2018-33)
4H decant.

2001 | Cabernet Sauvignon
Stags Leap Wine Cellars; FAY
(94.83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3.74% Merlot, 1.43% Petit Verdot)
Napa Valley; California, USA
(92-94; Drink 2016-31)

3H decant, much more time required, this will be a great day two wine. 

Winery note, for good context/history:
FAY was originally planted to Cabernet Sauvignon in 1961, the introduction of the varietal to the area now designated as the Stags Leap District. When we acquired the property from Nathan Fay in 1986 many of the vines were therefore over a quarter-century old. The replanting of most of this historic vineyard was completed in the mid-1990s, and those vines are now in their prime, producing an abundance of excellent fruit with the rich flavor and elegant texture that have always characterized FAY Cabernet. But the old vines of Block 8-planted by Fay in 1973 and a source of expressive fruit that is a key component of CASK 23-were not removed until after the 2002 harvest. The 2001 vintage is therefore one of the last to include fruit from the "original" Block 8.

2002; Mother's Day 2022.

Please see prior notes, still on point. Paired to grilled ribeyes, perfection for wine and a crusty steak.

Between a 92-93 here. This was tasted briefly at pop and pour and was then consumed from the decanter over the next few hours. Really pretty aromatics…baking spices, dark cocoa shavings, violets and plenty of freshly squeezed dark fruits. The palate has a “juicy” profile I get on a lot of 2012s. Vibrant acidity. Blackberries and underripe blueberries dominate the fruit profile with a unique herbal/juniper type note towards the finish. Not super complex or layered. After time, this really softened. Good now, maybe gets a bit better with another 5yrs, but not sure it increases much.

Lovely. Generous, grilled red fruit, earth, mineral and violets. Linear, bright palate with plenty of structure. Great food wine. Perfect window. I wish CA still made cabs like this.

Considered one of the "first growths" of Napa, 98% Cab Sauv, w/ splash of Cab Franc. Deep Ruby with big aromas of dark fruit, oak and cigar box spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry, plum and cherry with notes of cedar, tobacco and espresso. Fine firm grainy tannins, well balanced with lively acidity, long finish ending with fruit, oak and smoky spice, elegant! Nice!

We recently pulled some cases out of storage, which haven't seen the light of day for nearly 15 years, so I'll have some fun posts in the next several months.

Nose has very dusty blackberry, old leather, over-ripe blueberry, black currant, dry lavender, charred cedar plank and moist garden soil.

Palate has cedar cigar box, vanilla, dried cherry, dried raspberry, dried blackberry, mild prune, ripe blackberry, dark chocolate powder, old black licorice candy and (light) decaying leaves with light, but persistent tannins.

5 hours decant, more time appreciated

Added to cellar inventory 5 February 2006.

SLWC Vineyard Notes on FAY 2002:
"FAY was originally planted to Cabernet Sauvignon in 1961, the introduction of the varietal to the area now designated as the Stags Leap District. When we acquired the property from Nathan Fay in 1986 many of the vines were therefore over a quarter-century old. The replanting of most of this historic vineyard was completed in the mid-1990s, and those vines are now in their prime, producing an abundance of excellent fruit with the rich flavor and elegant texture that have always characterized FAY Cabernet. But the old vines of Block 8 planted by Fay in 1973, and a source of expressive fruit that is a key component of CASK 23 were not removed until after the 2002 harvest. The 2002 vintage is therefore one of the last to include fruit from the original Block 8."

For me, there is one Napa winery that was great in the pioneer days and lost their edge for a time but, has seriously reclaimed it. That winery is Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. It is largely overlooked with so many modern quality producers rising in the Napa Valley.

This 09 Fay is outstanding in a way that is truly unique to Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars.

The nose reveals, dark currants/cassis, deeply extracted; blackberries, black raspberries, black raspberries, black plum, black cherries with faint, creamy raspberries on the high nose & glass edges. Dark expresso roast, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, mocha, caramel, nutmeg, clove, vanilla, black licorice to anise, medium intensity dark spice, limestone minerals, dark, rich earth, dry crushed rocks, volcanic minerals, steeped tea, fresh tobacco, graphite, dark liqueur notes, Provence herbs with dark, florals, fresh & withering, candied florals with bright violets.

The body is full, silky and velvety. The tannins are rounded, soft yet tarry and teethe, 40% resolved. There are 10-20 years of life ahead depending on how you enjoy & store wine. The tension, structure, length and balance are just starting to climb to its peak. Dark currants/cassis, deeply extracted; blackberries, black raspberries, black raspberries, black plum with skin, black cherries with faint, poached strawberries & creamy raspberries. Dark, well pressed, expresso roast, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, mocha, caramel, nutmeg, clove, vanilla, dark, Asian & India spices with heat, black licorice to anise, medium intensity dark spice, limestone minerals, dark, rich earth, moist clay, dry crushed rocks, volcanic minerals, steeped tea, fresh tobacco, touch of black pepper, graphite, dark liqueur notes, Provence herbs with dark, florals, fresh & withering, candied florals with bright violets and lavender. The acidity is phat, round and fountain drippy. The long finish is; big, round, elegant, ripe, ruby, well balanced and persists deeply for minutes.

Photos of, their tasting room & Estate vines, barrel room, non-stop swinging pendulum ball and aerial view of their Estate.

2008

Fully developed, tannins resolved but a dense core of sweet fruit persists