Rob N

9.5

I really enjoyed this wine; 30 minutes in a decanter did a remarkable job mellowing the tannins. Otherwise, an excellent, classic, but tannic Napa cab. — 3 years ago

Jeff Orlowski

9.6

Leather, oak, tobacco on nose. Full body, mild tannins, dry, hint of acidity. Plums, blueberries, and hint of caramel. Outstanding! — 5 years ago

with Michael and Joe

John W

9.6

Deep ruby coloration. On the nose, florals, minerals, strong strawberry, raspberry and cherry. On the palate, very fruit forward, with strawberry dominating, cherry and raspberry as well. Oak, leather, chocolate and more strawberry on a long finish. Moderate and well balanced tannins. Medium body and opened up to a surprisingly rich mouthfeel and great, drinkable wine. — 6 years ago

eagle_eye

9.1

Love Russian River 🍇! Mineral & Golden Apple. Hint of lemon zest.
Vanilla on the nose. — 7 years ago

Carl Fischer

9.6

Considering it's age, this is drinking incredibly well. If you like the big, buttery Cali-styled Chardonnay, then this is for you. A lot of oak on this one. The nose is a dead give away to what you will experience; a fairly full-bodied wine with sweet butter, apricot, pear, honey, and brioche flavors. Incredible. — 7 years ago

Justin Brilman

9.2

2 hour decant and this opened up nicely to reveal layers of red fruit. Very enjoyable. — 8 years ago

Billy KIM

9.1

Very nice wine. — 8 years ago

Michael D Maguire

9.9

How does a merlot get any better!? — 9 years ago

Gary Phillips

9.2

Excellent balance with chewy tannins — 9 years ago

Rob Mondavi

Owner/President of Winemaking Folio Fine Wine Partners

9.0

Always happy with the Nickel family wines. This wine showed very well. The fruit was surprisingly fresh and vibrant for the vintage. — 10 years ago

Steve Haro

9.3

“Lovely, dark and deep.” Big and inky with supple tannins and cherry notes. Finish is a little weak or this would have been an amazing wine. — 5 years ago

Jake Hajer

9.1

Aromatic, charred red bell pepper. Extracted, dark, serious. — 5 years ago

Frank Chudy

9.2

Frank had 3/17/18. Very good and rich — 6 years ago

Jocelyn

9.0

That sweet maltiness and funkiness work well together! Also 9.5% woah — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.3

Enjoyable tasting event with Far Niente wines tonight. I've had a few Nickel & Nickel, but never any of Far Niente's own wines.

Too young! But what a treat. I can see this going up a few points once its had time to develop. Aromatic in a big way...blackberries, blueberries and spice on the nose. Cedar, smoked meat, toasted oak, blueberries on the palate and a nice lingering finish. — 7 years ago

with Cody

Sean Genn

9.2

Nice Rutherford Cab from the people of Far Niente and Nickel & Nickel. Rich dark fruit and lingering silky tannins. — 8 years ago

Michael O'Sullivan

8.9

From the Nickel&Nickel folks... — 9 years ago

with Lauren

Tony Capone

9.7

2005 Nickel & Nickel.... Witz End... Not many of the around. Dark Ink Grade, smooth finish, with great tannins. — 9 years ago

Katherine Bordelon

Court of Master Sommelier Guild member

9.2

I agree with another comment that at first it's a little tart. Give it some time in the glass or decanter and it opens nicely. — 9 years ago

Rob Mondavi

Owner/President of Winemaking Folio Fine Wine Partners

10

Beth and family do it again. Lively wines. — 11 years ago

Jeff Ball

9.2

Minerals and hint of mint on the nose. Oak, minerals and fruit (mostly lemon) on the palette. — 5 years ago

Adam Baker

9.1

Drank at dad’s with his ribs from Pettys. Very good pairing with ribs. Probably near the end of life, but still very good. — 5 years ago

with Chris, Brud and 1 other

Brandon T

9.1

Bit of a fruit bomb. Solid but not a ton going on here. — 6 years ago

with JRM and Sam

Allison Haas

9.3

Silky smooth merlot. — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

One of CA's oldest wineries, Far Niente, founded in 1885 by world traveler John Benson. The winery flourished until Prohibition, at which time it was abandoned and fell into complete disrepair. The stately stone shell of a winery was purchased in 1979 by Gil Nickel. Tropical and stone fruit aromas with complex spice and oak notes. On the palate apple, pear and citrus flavors, concentrated, with toasty oak and honey tones. Lingering finish ending with vibrant mineral characteristics. — 7 years ago

joy alabab

9.4

Very nice Syrah — 8 years ago

Justin Brilman

9.1

Last year they made this wine. Aromas of blackberry and plum mixed with leather, tobacco and pepper. You can get a nice hint of oak on this and a 3 hour decant helped mellow this one down. Cooler vintage almost reminded me of a Sonoma cab. — 8 years ago

Lisa Muldowney

9.0

One of my fav Chards — 9 years ago

Noelia Garcia

9.5

The bottle is beautiful and elegant- the wine is just as exquisite. A wonderful gift from Jeremy Nickel. Can't wait to see the other gems from the wonderful label. — 9 years ago

Pat Lomelo

9.0

Nice smooth wine a bit past its prime but we liked it — 9 years ago