Far Niente Chardonnay 2022

Far Niente Chardonnay 2022

 

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Far Niente
Chardonnay 2022
  • Vintage : 2022
  • Country : USA
  • Region : California
  • Subregion : Napa
  • Type : White
  • Style : Creamy Full Bodied White
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 13°
  • Grappes : 100% Chardonnay

The Far Niente Chardonnay is a masterful expression of Napa Valley's terroir, offering a harmonious balance of fruit intensity, vibrant acidity, and a refined oak influence.

Experts Score Vintage
WE Wine Enthusiast 94 2022
JS James Suckling 93 2022
WS Wine Spectator 92 2022
RP Robert Parker 91 2020
More information on wine critics and ratings

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 barrels50% 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.

Wine Enthusiast (WE) : 94 Points (2022)
A creamy texture carries lush, ripe tropical fruits, ample butter and toast nuances in this bold, full-bodied wine. The layering of baked apples, vanilla, Bartlett pears and almonds is impressive and delicious.

James Suckling (JS) : 93 Points (2022)
A medium-bodied, balanced and elegant chardonnay with notes of apples, spiced pears, burnt lemons and sweet spices. Delicate and creamy with a fine texture and a supple, mellow and delicious finish.

Wine Spectator (WS) : 92 Points (2022)
Generous and lush, offering ripe mango, peach, melon and apricot flavors at the core, with accents of nutmeg, salted, buttery pastry, marmalade and orange blossoms. A lovely, crisp thread of acidity weaves in and out, keeping the flavors energetic and fresh. Drink now. 38,000 cases made.

Robert Parker (RP) : 91 Points (2020)
Blended from vineyards in Coombsville, Jameson Canyon, Carneros and Yountville, the 2020 Chardonnay Estate is largely fermented in wood, with about 50% new French oak utilized. To retain freshness, about a fifth of the wine went into stainless-steel barrels and malolactic fermentation was blocked. It's a pretty, fruit-driven wine, with notes of apple, pear, melon and pineapple, but also full-bodied, creamy in texture and generous on the mid-palate but bright and vibrant on the finish.

Far Niente Dolce 2014
Far Niente Dolce 2014
Far Niente
Dolce 2014
RP
94
A rich and luxurious expression of Napa Valley’s Coombsville region, the Far Niente Dolce offers a delightful experience of botrytized Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, highlighted by a harmonious blend of sweetness and acidity.
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Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Far Niente
Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
JS
95
JD
94
RP
92
The Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon is a stunning representation of Napa Valley's finest vineyards, showcasing bold fruit flavors, elegant structure, and remarkable aging potential.
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Far Niente Post & Beam Chardonnay 2022
Far Niente Post & Beam Chardonnay 2022
Far Niente
Post & Beam Chardonnay 2022
RP
90
WE
94
JS
91
The Post & Beam Chardonnay by Far Niente is a refined expression of Chardonnay from the Carneros region. Its vibrant acidity, coupled with layers of fresh fruit and delicate oak, showcases the grace and purity of this iconic grape.
51,90 €
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Far Niente Post & Beam Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Far Niente Post & Beam Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Far Niente
Post & Beam Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
JS
90
WE
94
A masterful blend of Napa Valley terroir, the Post & Beam Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine that combines ripe fruit, smooth tannins, and a graceful finish for an approachable and expressive style.
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Far Niente EnRoute Brumaire Chardonnay 2022
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The EnRoute Chardonnay "Brumaire" from the Russian River Valley is a vivid expression of the region’s cool-climate Chardonnay, offering a balance of bright citrus, tropical fruit, and a creamy texture with a refined oak influence.
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Far Niente EnRoute Les Pommiers Pinot Noir 2022
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WE
93
JS
94
WS
92
EnRoute Pinot Noir "Les Pommiers" delivers a refined expression of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, featuring fresh red berry compote flavors, delicate notes of spice, and a smooth texture, all balanced by a mouthwatering acidity and elegant tannins.
75,00 €
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Wine regions guide
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