Far Niente EnRoute Les Pommiers Pinot Noir 2022

Region and Vineyards

The Russian River Valley is one of California's premier regions for growing Pinot Noir, with its cool climate and foggy conditions. The "Les Pommiers" blend is crafted from several vineyard sites, each contributing unique characteristics to the wine.

• Northern Spy Vineyard in Green Valley, once an apple orchard, now produces high-quality fruit on its Goldridge soils, with a variety of clones, including Pommard 5, Mt. Eden, and Dijon 115. This vineyard adds structure and complexity to the wine.
• Amber Ridge Vineyard in the Middle Reach area provides fruit from its rolling hills, contributing richness and depth with its mix of Pommard 5, Calera, and Dijon 115, 667, and 777 clones.
• Manzana Vineyard in Green Valley adds brightness and energy to the blend, with hillside plantings of Dijon 114, 115, and Pommard 5.

Winemaking

The EnRoute Pinot Noir is made from 100% Pinot Noir. The winemaking process includes open-top fermentation with daily punch-downs to extract flavor and tannins. The wine remained on the skins for an average of 14 days to achieve optimal extraction.

Aged for 10 months in French oak barrels (30% new and 70% neutral), the wine develops a refined balance of fruit, tannins, and subtle oak influence, highlighting the complexity and elegance of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Medium ruby red with a bright clarity.
• Aroma: Aromas of fresh raspberry compote are layered with notes of baking spice and the earthy scent of rain on a forest floor.
• Palate: On the palate, the wine offers generous yet soft flavors of strawberry preserves, expanding with elegant, silky tannins. The lively acidity enhances the fruit and leads to a long, refreshing finish.

Did you know?

The name "Les Pommiers" translates to "The Apple Trees," a nod to the history of the Northern Spy Vineyard, which was once an apple orchard. This vineyard now contributes some of the finest fruit to this expressive Pinot Noir blend.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Duck breast with cherry sauce: The wine’s red fruit and gentle tannins perfectly complement the richness of the duck and the sweet-tart flavors of the cherry sauce.
• Wild mushroom risotto: The earthy notes of the wine pair beautifully with the umami-rich flavors of the mushrooms and the creamy texture of the risotto.
• Grilled salmon: The vibrant acidity and fresh fruit in the wine balance the richness of grilled salmon, making for a harmonious pairing.
• Herb-crusted pork tenderloin: The soft tannins and spice notes in the wine enhance the savory flavors of the pork and herbs.

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.