January 12, 2024 - Well balanced, notes of pepper and fruit (plum), and ready to drink. I was worried it was over aged, but glad that it was still good to drink.
December 26, 2020 - In the glass, this did not show signs of aging. Not much bricking or color variation at the rim.
On the nose: eucalyptus, brambly, brooding (but not necessarily over the top), after splashing this in the decanter, the entire room was smelling. Some dark fruits like some plum, blackberries and some ripe raspberries (I know that these are red fruits but think about a really ripe raspberry). Does not feel overly oaked, this felt restrained and quite elegant. I agree with others, however, that if you like ripe napa cab, this probably will not be in your wheelhouse.
On the palate, pyrazines (greeness), oak - a bit of dark chocolate, and dark fruits like on the nose. Medium plus body with medium plus acidity. You can tell that this is from a cooler, not ideal, vintage. I really enjoyed this wine.
I would not be in a hurry to drink these up. I think that these can still age quite a bit. I will revisit in 2-3 years.
August 11, 2019 - Although this lacks in lingering tannins due the difficult vintage it more than makes up for in big jammy fruit. The ripe red fruit fruit just lingers and hangs on the palate. Acids are in a sweet spot right now.
January 13, 2019 - Lovely wine drinking great now. Decanted for 30 minutes before enjoying with steaks at Jeff Ruby’s in Nashville. Incredible combination.
December 31, 2018 - This 11 is big, bold, dark and super rich!
The nose reveals, black cherry kirsch, sour cherries, very ripe blackberries, light blueberries, stewed black plum & black raspberries. A little bit of gym locker, some smokiness, savory notes, melted black licorice, vanilla, clove, caramel, cinnamon stick, dark chocolate, mocha, hints of allspice, crushed dry rocks, Provence herbs, dark spice, steeped fruit tea, deep, sweet tarriness, rich dark soil, limestone minerals, warm toast with withering dark flowers, violets painted with notes of lavender.
The body is medium-full, lush and rich. The tannins are round, softening and sticky tarry. The structure, tension are big. The length and balance are just rounded into something a little special. Black cherry kirsch, sour cherries, huckleberries, very ripe blackberries, light blueberries, stewed black plum & black raspberries. A little bit of gym locker, some smokiness, savory notes, melted black licorice, vanilla, clove, caramel, cinnamon stick, dark chocolate, mocha, hints of allspice, used dark roast coffee grounds, crushed dry rocks, Provence herbs, dark spice, steeped fruit tea, deep, sweet tarriness, rich dark soil, limestone minerals, warm toast with withering dark flowers, violets painted with notes of lavender. The acidity is nicely round. The long finish is rich, lush, well balanced fruit & earth, elegant and lasts minutes.
One of the better 2011 Napa Cabernet’s I’ve had thus far! Just missed 94
December 30, 2018 - Decanted for an hour. This was delicious. Nice nose - floral, earthy and a nice long finish. Velvet tannins and soft and elegant. This is the second 2011 Fay I’ve had. This is drinking as well as a year ago. Love this wine.
October 13, 2018 - Wine is well beyond its prime.
January 14, 2018 - Delicious. Big and bold Napa cab that would do well to lie down for a few more years.
March 19, 2017 - The Fay is getting earthy. Mild finish and smooth on the palette. It's time to drink the wine as the earthiness is setting in.
November 24, 2016 - Smooth slightly sweet on the end notes