Far Niente Chardonnay 2022

Region and Vineyards

The Far Niente Chardonnay is a product of some of the finest vineyard sites in Napa Valley, particularly in Carneros and Coombsville. Carneros, with its cool maritime climate and well-draining soils, is an ideal region for producing high-quality Chardonnay. Its proximity to the San Pablo Bay brings morning fog and cool breezes, tempering the vines and preserving the acidity crucial to producing balanced wines.

Coombsville, on the other hand, offers a slightly warmer microclimate but features deeper, gravelly loam and volcanic ash soils. The combination of these two terroirs creates a wine that marries the freshness and minerality of Carneros with the structure and depth of Coombsville. The vineyard management focuses on controlling yields and ensuring that the fruit is perfectly ripe while maintaining its natural acidity, crucial in a warm growing season, which saw a few heat spikes.

Winemaking

The Far Niente Chardonnay is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes harvested from late August to late September. The fermentation process combines both traditional and modern techniques, with 88% of the wine fermented in French oak barrels and the remaining 12% in stainless steel tanks. This dual method ensures a balance of oak influence and the preservation of fresh fruit characteristics.

Malolactic fermentation (MLF) is deliberately avoided, which helps retain the wine's crisp acidity and vibrant character. The wine was aged for 10 months sur lie in French oak barrels—50% new and 50% once-used—which imparts a subtle toasty complexity without overpowering the fruit. The lees contact enhances the mouthfeel, adding a creamy texture to the palate.

Tasting Notes

• Color: A bright, pale straw hue with subtle golden reflections.
• Aroma: The nose offers a bouquet of vibrant citrus, melon, and ripe pear, with underlying hints of vanilla and lightly toasted oak.
• Palate: On the palate, the wine opens with a silky texture, displaying notes of juicy pear, citrus, and stone fruit. The minerality and crisp acidity provide lift, leading to a long, refreshing finish with lingering notes of citrus and a delicate hint of toasted oak.

Did you know?

The name "Far Niente" is derived from an Italian phrase meaning "without a care." It reflects the winery’s pursuit of producing wines that embody elegance and balance, without overcomplication. The winery, founded in 1885, has a rich history, and today, its Chardonnay remains one of the signature wines representing the excellence of Napa Valley.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Lemon butter poached lobster: The rich, buttery lobster is perfectly complemented by the wine's bright acidity and citrus flavors.
• Roast chicken with herbs: The wine's creamy texture and subtle oak marry beautifully with the savory, herbaceous flavors of roast chicken.
• Mushroom risotto: The creamy consistency of risotto pairs with the silky mouthfeel of the Chardonnay, while the wine's minerality enhances the earthy mushroom flavors.
• Soft-ripened cheeses: Creamy cheeses such as Brie or Camembert highlight the wine’s elegant texture and acidity.

History of Far Niente Estate:

Far Niente’s roots date back to 1885, when John Benson established the estate in Oakville. The name “Far Niente” is derived from the Italian phrase meaning “the sweetness of doing nothing,” a philosophy reflecting the art of living in the moment. Designed by Hamden McIntyre, the winery was a gravity-flow structure, innovative for its time.

The winery thrived until Prohibition in 1919, when it was abandoned and left untouched for more than six decades. In 1979, the Nickel family purchased and painstakingly restored the estate, reviving its original 19th-century charm. Winemaking resumed in 1982, when Far Niente produced its first Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Since then, it has become a standard-bearer for Napa Valley wines, under the leadership of winemaker Nicole Marchesi, one of Napa’s most acclaimed winemakers.

Region and Vineyards:

Far Niente’s vineyards are situated in Oakville, one of Napa Valley’s premier appellations, known for producing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon. The Martin Stelling Vineyard, located in the western Oakville bench, is the cornerstone of Far Niente’s Cabernet program. This vineyard is famous for producing structured, balanced, and age-worthy Cabernets, thanks to its gravelly loam soils and perfect microclimate.

For Chardonnay, Far Niente sources grapes from Coombsville, a cool-climate region in Napa Valley. The Coombsville vineyards are known for their volcanic ash and gravelly soils, which impart minerality and freshness to the wines. The cool fog influence from nearby San Pablo Bay ensures slow ripening, allowing the Chardonnay grapes to develop complexity while maintaining vibrant acidity.

Wine Range:

Far Niente produces a range of finely crafted wines, focusing exclusively on Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay:

• Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: Rich and elegant, with deep fruit flavors and long aging potential.
• Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon: A wine that showcases the unique terroir of Oakville with a balance of power and finesse.
• Benson Vale Cabernet Sauvignon: A single-vineyard expression, highlighting the best of the estate’s vineyard holdings.
• Napa Valley Chardonnay: Known for its crisp acidity and bright fruit, with a creamy texture from oak aging.
• Coombsville Chardonnay: Expresses the minerality and complexity of the Coombsville terroir, with notes of citrus, stone fruit, and a lingering finish.

Far Niente Wine Estates:

In addition to the flagship Far Niente Winery, the Far Niente Wine Estates family includes several prestigious wineries, each specializing in different grape varieties and styles:

• Nickel & Nickel: Established to craft single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon wines, Nickel & Nickel focuses on showcasing the unique character of individual Napa Valley vineyards. Each wine is an expression of its specific site, with a focus on purity of fruit and terroir-driven character.

• Bella Union: Located in Rutherford, Bella Union specializes in Cabernet blends, creating harmonious wines that bring together different vineyard sites and varieties. The wines are approachable in their youth, yet age-worthy, reflecting the classic structure of Napa Valley Cabernet.

• Post & Beam: Inspired by the simple, rustic beauty of America’s post-and-beam barns, Post & Beam is dedicated to crafting classic and timeless wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. These wines emphasize elegance, drinkability, and the pure expression of their varietals.

• EnRoute: A winery located in the Russian River Valley, EnRoute focuses on producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. With a commitment to precision winemaking and vineyard management, EnRoute crafts wines that express the unique characteristics of this cool-climate region, known for its fog-laden mornings and ideal growing conditions for Pinot Noir.

• Dolce: Known as America’s leading late-harvest dessert wine, Dolce produces a rare and luxurious Botrytised Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc blend. Often compared to the great sweet wines of Sauternes, Dolce is a highly regarded wine with flavors of honey, apricot, and tropical fruits, balanced by refreshing acidity.

Did you know?

The original Far Niente estate is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, highlighting its significance in the history of Napa Valley winemaking. Additionally, Far Niente is a leader in sustainable farming practices, including solar energy and water conservation, making it a pioneer in environmental stewardship in the wine industry.