2021 Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon Estate
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Tasting notes
Generous scents of ripe cherries emerge on the nose of the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, joined by hints of cedar, vanilla, dried herbs and some darker berries. Full-bodied and velvety in texture, it's a fine representation of Napa Valley Cabernet; it's just lacking the extra depth and complexity to elevate it to the absolute top rank. (JC)
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Robert Parker
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
A smaller production cuv e compared to the Napa Valley release, there are roughly 5,000 cases of the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville, which is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon brought up in 80% new French. Revealing an attractive, classy nose of blackcurrants and darker berry fruits as well as some leafy herb, tobacco, and underbrush notes, it's medium to full-bodied, nicely textured, has some firmer tannins, but lots of depth and character. Give bottles 2-4 years and enjoy over the following 15+.
Very precisely polished fruit aromas of cassis and bramble berries followed by lifted floral notes and black olives with sage and mint chocolate aromas. Layers of subtle black ink and graphite character. Full-bodied with seductive velvety tannins and balanced acidity. Superb quality and balance that shows its lavish finesse and vibrancy in a sophisticated way.
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Estate is beautiful, with a perfumed, blue-fruited style as well as classic Cabernet smoked tobacco, flowery incense, spice, and chocolaty notes. Coming from the Stelling Vineyard, not far from Harlan, and made by Nicole Marchesi with consulting advice from Thomas Rivers Brown, this full-bodied, layered, very complete 2021 should round into form with just a few years of bottle age and evolve for 15-20 years. It's a beautiful wine.