Far Niente - Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 (750ml)
Price: $225.99
Producer | Far Niente |
Country | United States |
Region | California |
Subregion | Oakville |
Varietal | Cabernet Sauvignon |
Vintage | 2014 |
Sku | 6008 |
The 2014 Far Niente Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon opens with beautifully lifted spice and black fruit aromatics—clove, anise, black cherry and blackberry—layered with a hint of rich oak. A round, supple entry leads to a silky, smooth midpalate. Cassis, clove, and toasted oak complement the black and red fruit flavors. Fine-grained, age-worthy tannins provide structure to the dark, juicy finish.
A spice and berry perfume, rich entry and fine-grained tannins make this limited-release Cave Collection vintage both immediately approachable and 100% cellar-worthy.
Far Niente Description
Far Niente Winery was established in Napa Valley, California, in 1885 by John Benson. It is a producer of premium Cabernet Sauvignon and one of the most storied California wineries.
Benson was the uncle of American impressionist painter Winslow Homer and a "forty-niner" – he travelled to California in 1849 during the California Gold Rush that saw a huge influx of people into the region. Benson bought land in Oakville and had a gravity-flow winery built and vineyards planted. The estate was profitable until Prohibition (1920-1933) caused the winery to be abandoned.
In 1979 Gil Nickel bought the winery and adjacent vineyards and began to refurbish them. The Benson name was kept until the words "far niente" were found inscribed in stone at the front of the winery – part of the Italian expression il dolce far niente or 'without a care'. A red wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon and a white wine made from Chardonnay are the only wines produced, and the first vintages (1979, ’80, ’81) were vinified offsite until the restoration was completed in 1982.
The winery is now on the National Register for Historic Places. In 1998 a bottle of Far Niente Sweet Muscat from 1886 was discovered in a private California cellar. The bottle looks to be the oldest intact bottle of Californian wine, and the label is believed to have been illustrated by Winslow Homer.
There are several vineyards in the Oakville appellation that provide grapes for the Far Niente wines. The Martin Stelling vineyard provides fruit for the Cabernet Sauvignon, and bounds Heitz Cellar's famous Martha's Vineyard, as well as Harlan Estate. Fruit for the Chardonnay comes from several vineyards in Coombsville, a cooler area just east of Napa town.
In 1989, Gil Nickel founded Dolce, a California winery focused entirely on dessert wines blended from botrytized Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, in a Sauternes style. Several other sister wineries have since come into being including Nickel & Nickel, Enroute, Bella Union and, most recently, Post & Beam Winery.
Wine Enthusiast: 94 Points
Sourced largely from the Martin Stelling Vineyard, this is a supple, soft wine, with refined tannins. A zippy nose of rose and spice scents paves the way for more powerful leather saddle, cedar and black tea elements. Its fruit is wild and brambly, recalling blackberry and dark cherry with enviable succulence.
James Suckling: 93 Points
Dark berries and mushrooms with walnut undertones. Full body and lots of depth and richness. Hints of tile and stones. Beautiful.
Wine Advocate: 91 Points
One of the iconic wineries of Napa Valley, this blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec has produced a relatively restrained and elegant 2014, with pure crème de cassis fruit, some incense, licorice and subtle background barrique. It is medium to full-bodied, with sweet tannin, plenty of charm, and a relatively velvety smooth finish with well-integrated tannins and wood. This is approachable now and should continue to evolve nicely for 15-20 years. Drink through 2036.
Wine Spectator: 90 Points
Very tight and herbal, with a strong tannic structure, cedary oak accents and a deep yet closed core of savory herb, blackberry and spice flavors. Ends with firm, grippy tannins that should reward with time. Best from 2020 through 2024.
Vinous: 90 Points
The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Far Niente Estate Bottled is an excellent choice for drinking now and over the next few years. Wild cherry, smoke, tobacco, licorice and dark spices give the wine much of its considerable appeal. This is a very pretty, mid-weight Cabernet Sauvignon from Far Niente.
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