2013 La Magdalena
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Tasting notes
The 2013 Proprietary Red La Magdalena, which I think contains a good bit of Cabernet Franc in the blend, has a dense bluish/purple color, a wonderfully sweet inner core of graphite, blueberry liqueur, black raspberries and cassis. Medium to full-bodied, with flawless integration of tannin and acidity, this is a terrific example of top-flight viticulture and winemaking. It’s no wimpy wine at 14.8% natural alcohol. The tannins are soft enough to give the wine accessability now, but it should continue to age nicely for 20+ years.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
A wine that has really gained over the last year, the 2013 La Magdalena is simply captivating in its beauty. Finely sculpted yet massive on the palate, the 2013 oozes with class. Inky dark fruit, graphite, smoke, licorice and tobacco all come alive in a powerful wine endowed with tremendous energy. La Magdalena is a Cabernet Franc/Cabernet Sauvignon from the red soils of Oakville Ranch. This is a tremendous showing from Favia.
Another superb wine, the 2013 La Magdalena brings together huge dark fruit, equally imposing tannins and superb energy. Graphite, smoke, menthol and new leather wrap around a core of dark fruit in an ample, broad wine. The flavors are bold and insistent, yet even with all of its size, the 2013 remains almost impossibly polished. Simply put, this is a great wine in the making.
The 2013 La Magdalena shows notable ripeness, sweetness and oak influence. Blackberry, chocolate, spice, lavender and mocha are all amplified in this super-ripe, sensual Oakville Cabernet Franc/Cabernet Sauvignon blend.
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.