Far Niente Winery
Napa Valley Chardonnay
Napa Valley, California, USA
1 of CA's oldest wineries, Far Niente, founded 1885 by world traveler John Benson. Winery flourished until Prohibition, when it was abandoned & fell into complete disrepair. The 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, melon and citrus flavors, creamy, with toasty oak, fig and honey tones. Long finish ending with vibrant acidity & mineral character. Consistent. Nice! Tasting Sample!
1 of CA's oldest wineries, Far Niente, founded 1885 by world traveler John Benson. Winery flourished until Prohibition, when it was abandoned & fell into complete disrepair. The 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, melon and citrus flavors, creamy, with toasty oak, fig and honey tones. Long finish ending with vibrant acidity & mineral character. Consistent. Nice! Tasting Sample!
1 person found it helpfulAug 12th, 2020
On the nose, baked apples and oak. The oak monster is evident on the palate. Neutral oak would have allowed more fruit and secondary flavors to shine thru. Very little acid to talk about, leaves this example presenting as somewhat flabby. This won’t evolve to a better place.
Wifey rated this 93pts, but editorial liberties prevail. 🙂
On the nose, baked apples and oak. The oak monster is evident on the palate. Neutral oak would have allowed more fruit and secondary flavors to shine thru. Very little acid to talk about, leaves this example presenting as somewhat flabby. This won’t evolve to a better place.
Wifey rated this 93pts, but editorial liberties prevail. 🙂
Pineapple and deliciousness
Pineapple and deliciousness
1 person found it helpfulSep 3rd, 2019
Nice and clean Chardonnay. Good focus. Oak but not overly powerful. Decent. Served at the National Arts Club in NYC.
Nice and clean Chardonnay. Good focus. Oak but not overly powerful. Decent. Served at the National Arts Club in NYC.
1 person found it helpfulApr 11th, 2019
Yellow fruits. Fresh meyon lemon, fresh apple. Floral and expressive. Followed with vanilla and caramel. Yet metalic and mineral. Love the acidity that I wasn't expected from a Napa chard. Good choice Albert!
Yellow fruits. Fresh meyon lemon, fresh apple. Floral and expressive. Followed with vanilla and caramel. Yet metalic and mineral. Love the acidity that I wasn't expected from a Napa chard. Good choice Albert!
1 person found it helpfulOct 24th, 2018
Mellower than expected with age. Might be a good balance a few years sooner with more oak. Still excellent and a wonderful treat.
Mellower than expected with age. Might be a good balance a few years sooner with more oak. Still excellent and a wonderful treat.
Dec 31st, 2024
Clean and aromatic. Wineries in Napa are closing left and right. I might cut my trip short before they order the whole State to shelter in place😎
Clean and aromatic. Wineries in Napa are closing left and right. I might cut my trip short before they order the whole State to shelter in place😎
Mar 16th, 2020
Our (traditional) Thanksgiving Dinner wine. Just as perfect as it was last year!
Our (traditional) Thanksgiving Dinner wine. Just as perfect as it was last year!
Nov 29th, 2019
Dining at Lago at Bellagio. Despite an eclectic tapas menu inclusive of bruschetta, caprese salad, tenderloin with peppercorn sauce, and linguine al pesto, this wine was a perfect choice. Fuller-bodied without being overpowering; slightly oaky with a nice minerality.
Dining at Lago at Bellagio. Despite an eclectic tapas menu inclusive of bruschetta, caprese salad, tenderloin with peppercorn sauce, and linguine al pesto, this wine was a perfect choice. Fuller-bodied without being overpowering; slightly oaky with a nice minerality.
Oct 21st, 2019