Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

1 of CA's oldest wineries, Far Niente, founded 1885 by John Benson. Winery flourished until Prohibition, when it was abandoned & fell into complete disrepair. Stately stone shell of a winery purchased in 1979 by Gil Nickel. A big wine! Tropical and stone fruit aromas with complex spice and oak notes. On the palate apple, peach and citrus flavors, creamy, with buttery toasty oak, fig/honey tones. Long finish ending with vibrant acidity & mineral character. Consistent. — 3 days ago

Arturo Rodriguez

9.0

Excellent quality to price ratio!! — 8 days ago

Michael

9.4

Balanced velvety, dark fruits blackberry and cherry. A bit of earthy spice on the base. Very good. — a month ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Mid 20th century fashionable country resort, popular with Hollywood due to 1892 stone Manor House & historic gardens. Blend of Cab Sauv, Merlot, Malbec, rest other Rhone varieties, aged 20 months in 37% new French oak. Dark Ruby, aromas of ripe berry fruits, herbs & spice. On the palate flavors of cherry and black currant with vanilla oak and earthy notes. Well balanced, fine tannins long finish ending with fruit, espresso notes and sweet spice! Nice now and will drink well over next decade. — 2 months ago

Dmitry Teytelman

9.3

Nicely integrated tannins, the palate noticeably opening up in the first 15 minutes. Nice nose, with fairly high alcohol level masking the palate somewhat. A bit of cassis and pepper in the aftertaste. — a day ago

with Eugenia

Tom Casagrande

9.3

This has softened considerably since my last bottle several years ago. Nose is complex, with earth, cedar, cigar box, and an incense-like note. In the mouth, it’s rich but medium-bodied. The tannins that were so prominent a few years ago have significantly resolved. Entering (finally) its drinking window. — a month ago

with Angelo

carl thornblade

8.9

Nice but subdued overall. Expected more for the price. — a month ago

Victor Hsu

8.9

Inky and dense, with aromas of violet and dark fruit. Multiple flavors hitting the palate, including blueberry and blackberry with a hint of earth supported by a tannic backbone. Still tight and a bit alcoholic; decanting improved things a bit but needs more time in the bottle. Good but not great. — a month ago

John Hagood

9.0

Chez Cybulski 4/19/2024, from Wrightsville Beach. Blissful nose carries one to California perfection. — 15 days ago

Ron R

9.3

See my prior notes. For a gnarly vintage, few complaints here. — a month ago

with Anne-marie