Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

1 of CA's oldest wineries, Far Niente, founded 1885 by John Benson. Winery flourished until Prohibition, when it was abandoned & fell into complete disrepair. Stately stone shell of a winery purchased in 1979 by Gil Nickel. A big wine! Tropical and stone fruit aromas with complex spice and oak notes. On the palate apple, peach and citrus flavors, creamy, with buttery toasty oak, fig/honey tones. Long finish ending with vibrant acidity & mineral character. Consistent. — 7 days ago

Randy Fuller

9.4

This wine is straw yellow in color. Its nose gives aromas of pear and apple, with lemon coming in behind. There is a hint of oak in the bouquet. The palate brings the citrus minerality to the forefront to play with the fruit flavors. Acidity is bright, but not overpowering. The wine finishes a bit oakier than the nose would have suggested, but it is a pleasurable hit of oak spice. I paired mine with buttery potato pierogies and a carrot risotto dish, and was quite pleased. — 7 months ago

Dawn E.

8.9

Somewhere between 8.9 and 9.0. Nice peach, apricots, vanilla pudding and lemon. Oak lends more to a "creaminess"; does not show awkward buttery aftertaste. Grocery store selection (2nd bottle this month) 😱.
Most important note..first Robin sighting today! — 3 years ago

Hiroshi Tominaga

9.0

Buttery with some sweetness. Very good. Bought at TAC for ¥4,000. — a month ago

Randy Fuller

8.9

This wine is colored yellow-gold. I found the nose to be strange, with apple, pear, and nectarine aromas up front, followed by an odd scent of vanilla and butter. It has a hint of the smell of the butter offered on popcorn at the movies. The palate gives the fruit center stage as well, with oak notes a bit more prominent. The acidity is nice and the mouthfeel is full. It's not a wine I will seek out in the future, even though I rather like buttery Chardonnay. — 3 months ago

Erik Rini

9.2

Heavy oak and very buttery, typical Orin Swift production with high alcohol, very delicious!👍👍👍 — 3 years ago

Nick Danger

9.2

Rocked the party with our lobster! Full bodied, smidge buttery but also minerals. Deeeelightful! — 3 years ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.0

Medium deep lemon yellow . Quite buttery at first , with some yellow plum , citrus peel , touch of honeysuckle and toasty oak . On the palate quite creamy and rich , but retaining good freshness , lemon pith , touch of caramel , butterscotch on the medium length slightly nutty finish . Balanced acidity with good extract , balanced alcohol . Ok medium length . This is showing a bit of age but it still drinking pretty well . Drink now . — 3 months ago

DJ Johnson

9.7

Maybe the best Chardonnay I’ve had. Very balanced yet buttery. — 3 months ago

Neil Valenzuela

8.9

Medium gold color. Aromas of Granny Smith Apple, pear and lemon creme brûlée. Citrus oak and small buttery finish. — 9 months ago