Far Niente : Estate Bottled Chardonnay 2024

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Far Niente Estate Bottled Chardonnay 2024

Tasting

Appearance
This wine reveals a brilliant white colour.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet opens with great freshness, releasing scents of ripe peach, pear and melon, harmoniously intertwined with delicate notes of citrus blossom. Subtle hints of vanilla and toasted hazelnut complete this ensemble.

Palate
The palate offers a remarkably creamy texture, perfectly balanced by lively acidity that brings great brightness. Flavours of lightly roasted citrus combine with a lovely wet-stone minerality. The finish is long, juicy and subtly spiced.

Food and wine pairing

This white wine pairs beautifully with seafood, shellfish such as lobster or crab, and pan-seared white fish. It is also an ideal match for poultry, dishes with creamy sauces, seasonal vegetables and soft cheeses such as Brie or fresh goat's cheese.

Serving and cellaring

The Estate Bottled Chardonnay 2024 is a real pleasure to drink in its youth, yet it also has the structure to develop in the cellar for around five to eight years.

The elegance and freshness of a Napa Valley Chardonnay

The estate

Founded in 1885 with the construction of its stone gravity-flow winery in the heart of the Napa Valley in California, Far Niente is a true historic institution. After lying dormant for many years during Prohibition, the estate was revived in 1979 by Gil and Beth Nickel. Now owned by the investment firms GI Partners and Apax Partners, the estate stands out for its pioneering environmental commitment, exemplified by its floating solar array. Under the guidance of technical director Nicole Marchesi, the house excels in crafting elegant wines centred on Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The vineyard

The vines for this cuvée thrive on the renowned terroirs of the Napa Valley, particularly around Oakville. The soils, made up of alluvial deposits, sand, silt and gravel, provide excellent drainage. The climate benefits from the maritime influence of San Pablo Bay, bringing foggy mornings and sunny days that preserve the grapes' acidity. The estate practises sustainable, climate-smart viticulture that promotes biodiversity and deep rooting of the vines, together with extremely rigorous water management.

Winemaking and ageing

The Estate Bottled Chardonnay 2024 is crafted in facilities that combine heritage and modernity. Ageing takes place in the estate's vast underground caves, dug into the hillside from 1980 onwards, which ensure constant temperature and humidity. The wine is aged on its lees with carefully controlled oak contact, giving it structure and aromatic complexity while preserving its natural tension.

Grape variety

Chardonnay (100%)