Far Niente Winery

Napa Valley Chardonnay

9.129 ratings
9.05 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Chardonnay
Duck, Shellfish, Goose, Mushrooms, Manchego & Parmesan, Game, Pork, Squash & Root Vegetables, Chicken, Turkey, Cheddar & Gruyere, Meaty & Oily Fish, White Fish, Shellfish, Crab & Lobster, Cream Sauces
Top Notes For
Paul Masson

Expensive oak, high alcohol

Expensive oak, high alcohol

Jul 26th, 2021
Sipping Fine Wine

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
Ron R
8.9

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. 🙂

1 person found it helpfulDec 10th, 2019
Jacqueline Johnson

Pineapple and deliciousness

Pineapple and deliciousness

1 person found it helpfulSep 3rd, 2019
Sean Christensen

Rich, buttery. Banana, peach, vanilla, even a bit of coconut.

Rich, buttery. Banana, peach, vanilla, even a bit of coconut.

1 person found it helpfulJul 13th, 2019
Teresa S

Lemony briochey vanilla minimal oak citrus on finish. Really well balanced. Surprised and delighted.

Lemony briochey vanilla minimal oak citrus on finish. Really well balanced. Surprised and delighted.

1 person found it helpfulJun 28th, 2019
Ryan Vento

Dinner with friends over cedar plank salmon & grilled vegetables.
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Very refreshing, clean, and pure with a defined body full of citrus, tropical fruits, and a mouthwatering minerality and smoothness. Lovely structure; I could drink this all day.

Dinner with friends over cedar plank salmon & grilled vegetables.
.
Very refreshing, clean, and pure with a defined body full of citrus, tropical fruits, and a mouthwatering minerality and smoothness. Lovely structure; I could drink this all day.

1 person found it helpfulJun 27th, 2019
Ron R
9.3

This is balanced and clean. A pleasant surprise...

This is balanced and clean. A pleasant surprise...

1 person found it helpfulMay 28th, 2019
James Forsyth

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
Jeff Orlowski

Soft nose. Full body. Buttery but not overly so. Pears, honeysuckle, and hints of oak. Nearly perfect!

Soft nose. Full body. Buttery but not overly so. Pears, honeysuckle, and hints of oak. Nearly perfect!

1 person found it helpfulNov 22nd, 2018