Far Niente, Chardonnay, Napa Valley

Feel bad rating it this low, as I feel it was almost certainly a better wine 5 years ago. Was given to me as a gift 3 years ago and properly stored after that, but maybe not beforehand. Wine had nothing left in 2018. Flat, though not acrid or unpleasant, just dull.

2007 vintage

Another bottle lost in the cellar, but recently found! Deep yellow, pleasant nose. Definitely still has staying power and is enjoyable, maybe a little extra oakiness showing through as the fruit fled over the years. All in all almost as enjoyable as when purchased.

2006 vintage

Deep golden color, with light tropical fruit and oak on the nose. The palate shows white fruit, vanilla bean, and new oak. The oak comes on a bit strong, but the texture is nice and finish is crisp.

2006 vintage

Just passed it time.

2007 vintage

Ugh. Think I left this too long. Cork broke apart upon opening despite careful storage. Wine just had nothing left. My fault for forgetting about this until now but waste of $50

2007 vintage

I feel like this wine can't decide if its wants to be a Kistler or a Lewis. With flavours somewhere in between, this medium bodied wine had an average nose with some hints of oak and spices, perhaps even some citrus. But as the night wore on, it just didn't get any more interesting. It had a nice dark colour so I kept waiting for it to open up but it did not. The finish was also pretty average, not …

2007 vintage

Great wine, finish short

2007 vintage

Due to possibly poor storage by the vendor, this bottle matures faster than normal. My bottle is clearly over the hill, lost part of its strength and became full cream butter. Color is very golden like. Looking forward to trying better stored of this wine.

2006 vintage

lots of life in the bottle. hold for another 3+ years. more citrus than buttery syrup but lots of complexity and huge finish.

2006 vintage

Still good and drinkable but reaching the end

2007 vintage

Beautiful semi-buttery wine. Full mouth feel. Drank very well with crab cakes and arugula salad.

2006 vintage

Ageing well. Toasty nuts on the palette. Short finish, likely age related. Well made; an excellent California Chard.

2007 vintage

Near the end of its run. Still excellent. Slightly abrupt finish is the only sign of age.

2007 vintage

This wine has really evolved. Worth the wait. Very French like now.

2007 vintage

Ripe stone fruit with some oak sticks out awkwardly. A touch of sweetness on the finish. Okay.

2007 vintage

with chicken veloute

2007 vintage

Mellow, rich, smooth, balanced with oak tones.

2007 vintage

It's difficult to ignore the alcohol and the sheer size here. John's comment was 'wow this is strong'. May work for some, but not for me.

2006 vintage

Fabulous!

2007 vintage

Mellow lemon, with some butter cream, and faint oak on the palate. There's a nice little line of acidity burried underneath, though not much of a finish this is drinking well. Very pleasant. Enjoyed over easter lunch with the family.

2007 vintage

Light gold color. Pop and pour, drank 2+ glasses over 2+hrs. Nose is nice with toast, smoke, citrus, butter, apple, lychee, minerals. The palate is full body with nice weight, a rich viscous feel, bright citrus fruits, stony minerals, light oak, long finish. Excellent bottle.

2006 vintage

Drinking very well after a couple of years in the cellar. Very crisp and focused for a Cali Chardonnay. A nice balanced food friendly wine

2007 vintage

Creamy, silky. Soft citrus flavors, slight oak. Evolving nicely.

2007 vintage

Nice but I and everyone else liked the Rudd Baciagulupi better

2007 vintage

Notes consistent with 12/20/09.

2007 vintage

Far better on day 2

2006 vintage

Pale yellow with a faint citrus nose. Austere lemon and grapefruit. Less of the creamy butter that characterizes this wine.

2007 vintage

Just a bit too oaky and lacking in aromatics to join the list of my favorite California chards. Wanted to love it because of their cabs but there are many better choices out there.

2007 vintage

Strong citrus flavors and very creamy. This wine has been evolving to a slightly more acidic and yet richer structure over time. Tasted along with the 2009, which came out slightly ahead of the 2007. Never disappoints, always a crowd pleaser.

2007 vintage

Light straw color. Balanced oak. Lemon zest with touch of creme brulee. Moderate finish that turns slight bitter after about 10 seconds.

2006 vintage

Very good - harpers

2006 vintage

Dinner at Holly and Tony's (Wilmington, Delaware) : Lemon merangue (spelling?), oak, vanilla and pear. A little oaky for my taste but this maybe better with a little more time.

2007 vintage

Oak was nat integrated.

2006 vintage

Light golden straw color, slow legs. Nose offers up lemon drops and vivid oak use with some hazelnut and cedar. Palate is somewhat creamy but also seems a touch light in weight and duration for this price. Still a well built wine and very enjoyable, just not memorable. Should last a few more years. 4+11+17+7 = 89

2006 vintage

outstanding wine. great balance and an excellent finish. Pear and apple flavor with a hint of butter up front.

2006 vintage

Balanced wine with primary oak flavor, creamy and rich texture. Not sure the qpr makes this notable brand worth it.

2006 vintage

Great

2007 vintage

not worth the money

2007 vintage

Reliable, solid chardonnay. If you like this style, oaky and creamy, a really nice wine. Served with sauteed scallops. Has developed more tartness over the past year which balances the wine but nudged my rating down a point.

2007 vintage

Absolutely beautiful: Fig, pear, buttery in a good way.

2006 vintage

Always good

2006 vintage

I had this same wine about a year ago and it's drinking better now. There's nice pear fruit with some buttered popcorn on the nose. It's creamy and with some oak, but it's not over the top like the 07 Rombauer I had recently. Great acidity holding this one together. Should last for a few more years.

2006 vintage

Great bottle... maybe wait one more year for the next

2006 vintage

Competent but nothing special

2006 vintage

A decent bottle of wine. Miineraly and smooth. Not too buttery, which is a nice change from so many California chards. I didn't think there was too much complexity and not much finish. Glad this was a gift because its not worth the price.

2006 vintage

I am not a big white drinker, but my wife like's Chardonnay's. I thought this was a well balanced wine, not overly oaky with nice fruit, and smooth tannins. Good wine, just can't justify the price.....

2006 vintage

Seafood Harbour: Very cold, but nice med. vanilla notes, yellow apple, melon; even a bit restrained for Napa--good bal, clean, elegant, although not too complex. W/MJ& James;

2006 vintage

Nose with lots of buttery fig and pear. Flavor to match, with controlled use of oak. Beautifully balanced, rich, and deep. Long finish. Excellent.

2006 vintage

Crisp fruit -- peaches and tangerine, toasted allspice. Nice oak balance, smooth as glass, full-bodied chard. Similar to Newton unfiltered and Cloudy Bay. One of our favorites!

2006 vintage

While this wine had a great mouth feel and acidity I was overall unimpressed with this wine. Kind of musty upon opening.

2006 vintage

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Far Niente, Chardonnay, Napa Valley

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