2022 Faust Cabernet Sauvignon The Pact Napa Valley

Founded by Agustin Huneeus, the visionary behind some of Napa Valley’s most celebrated estates (Quintessa, Leviathan), Faust Wines was born from the belief that great Cabernet Sauvignon should embody both the soul of its land and the daring spirit of its maker. The winery’s name draws inspiration from the classic German legend, symbolizing an unrelenting pursuit of excellence—an ethos that guides every decision from vineyard to bottle.

Rooted in Coombsville, Napa’s southernmost AVA, Faust’s estate vineyard thrives in volcanic soils influenced by cool marine breezes. These conditions, paired with meticulous farming, yield Cabernet fruit of remarkable depth, balance, and freshness—a hallmark of the Faust style.

2022 The Pact exemplifies this vision, perfectly balancing the plush richness of a warm season with the vibrant freshness that defines the Coombsville terroir. The vintage began with a third consecutive dry, mild winter, giving way to an early budbreak and healthy canopy development. Warm summer days pushed even ripening, while a late-summer heat spell tested the vines’ resilience.

Fortunately, Faust’s cooler Coombsville estate—aided by proactive misting and irrigation—tempered the heat and slowed ripening. A dramatically cooler October then extended hangtime, allowing the fruit to reach optimal flavor concentration and phenolic maturity. The result is a wine of generosity and vitality, seamlessly combining power, freshness, and elegance in a vintage that stands as one of Faust’s most complex and balanced expressions to date.

Aging: 22 months in French Oak, 45% new