Far Niente Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon is a brilliant expression of Napa Valley winemaking, showing off exceptional balance and regional character. Rather than relying on a single plot, this vintage acts as a masterclass in blending, sourcing fruit from a handful of Napa's finest sub-regions - including Calistoga, Oak Knoll, St Helena, Stags Leap, Diamond Mountain, and Yountville. These carefully selected parcels perfectly complement the deep, structured fruit harvested from the core Far Niente estate vineyards in Oakville. The winemaking team selects and ferments each grape variety entirely separately to preserve their individual personalities before creating the final blend. The wine is then matured for seventeen months in French oak barrels, using a combination of 65% new and 35% second-fill oak. This careful maturation gives the wine a sophisticated framework of sweet spice and toasted oak without overpowering the natural, bright energy of the fruit. On the nose, it opens with an elegant bouquet of mixed berries, sweet spice, dried lavender, and wild thyme. The palate is full, plush, and deeply layered, offering expansive flavours of black tea, cocoa, and dark forest fruits. It feels remarkably focused and fresh in the glass, supported by incredibly fine-grained, smooth tannins that carry the wine into a beautifully lifted, long finish. It is a stunning partner for premium cuts of meat, matching effortlessly with a grilled ribeye steak, roasted rosemary lamb shanks, or a rich venison stew.
