Napa Valley, California, USA
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.
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.
May 1st, 2025
Very disappointed with the 21 vintage - quite off / austere makes me wonder … did they change the wine maker? Staff turnover after Covid?
Very disappointed with the 21 vintage - quite off / austere makes me wonder … did they change the wine maker? Staff turnover after Covid?
Jul 25th, 2023
Ace. Beautiful balance. Not pushy. Integrated and very put together.
Ace. Beautiful balance. Not pushy. Integrated and very put together.
Jun 18th, 2023
Lots going on. Honey and rich wood. Plush and noticeable oak.
Lots going on. Honey and rich wood. Plush and noticeable oak.
Jun 11th, 2022
If this were a song it'd be "Fat-Bottomed Girls". So bodacious yet complex and full of intrigue. Honeysuckle bush on fire. Beeswax and ripe honeydew palate. Always impressed by acidity backing up its giganticness.
If this were a song it'd be "Fat-Bottomed Girls". So bodacious yet complex and full of intrigue. Honeysuckle bush on fire. Beeswax and ripe honeydew palate. Always impressed by acidity backing up its giganticness.
13 people found it helpfulJan 21st, 2015
Tonight's wine is brought to you by Far Niente 2012 Chardonnay. A very expressive nose with notes of banana, ripe orange, peach, nice honeydew melon and some vanilla. On the palate we get complex fruit, lemon zest, banana, pear, with medium acidity, good minerality and a smooth and buttery tasty texture. Then you get a clean and refreshing finish. Very nice Chardonnay and I only had to spend $36.97 on sale.
Tonight's wine is brought to you by Far Niente 2012 Chardonnay. A very expressive nose with notes of banana, ripe orange, peach, nice honeydew melon and some vanilla. On the palate we get complex fruit, lemon zest, banana, pear, with medium acidity, good minerality and a smooth and buttery tasty texture. Then you get a clean and refreshing finish. Very nice Chardonnay and I only had to spend $36.97 on sale.
4 people found it helpfulJan 4th, 2015
Roasted coconut, mascarpone, lemon curd and a touch of oak on the nose. Coconut and lemon continue on the palate with some tropical notes of banana. Good balance overall.
Roasted coconut, mascarpone, lemon curd and a touch of oak on the nose. Coconut and lemon continue on the palate with some tropical notes of banana. Good balance overall.
4 people found it helpfulNov 16th, 2014Butter and oak linger on the palate. Refreshing, yet savory.
Butter and oak linger on the palate. Refreshing, yet savory.
4 people found it helpfulNov 7th, 2014One of CA's oldest wineries, Far Niente, founded in 1885 by world traveler John Benson. The winery flourished until Prohibition, at which time it was abandoned and fell into complete disrepair. The stately stone shell of a winery was purchased in 1979 by Gil Nickel. 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. Lingering finish ending with vibrant acidity & mineral character. Consistent. Nice!
One of CA's oldest wineries, Far Niente, founded in 1885 by world traveler John Benson. The winery flourished until Prohibition, at which time it was abandoned and fell into complete disrepair. The stately stone shell of a winery was purchased in 1979 by Gil Nickel. 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. Lingering finish ending with vibrant acidity & mineral character. Consistent. Nice!
2 people found it helpfulOct 3rd, 2018
