Every now and then I need to pinch myself at work. It never ceases to amaze me that I get to work for an estate with an incredible history of producing quality wine. That now I have the opportunity to add to that history sometimes seems surreal.
Revisiting past vintages in our Cave Collection program is always a pleasure. I recently opened a bottle of the 1999 Far Niente Cave Collection Cabernet Sauvignon. Tasting a beautiful, 14-year-old wine from our vineyards in Oakville—the same vineyards that I get work with now—reminded me of how special and consistent this place really is.
The growing season in 1999 started out with a cool spring that developed into a moderate summer. Harvest was relatively late but the extra hang time allowed the grapes to fully ripen. This vintage of Far Niente is a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc.
Aromatically, this cabernet is extremely expressive: it has a great bottle bouquet with dark cherry, sweet tobacco and an almost earthy minerality. It continues to open in the glass with more and more layers. Upon entry, the wine moves across the palate with a silky texture and juicy cherry and earth flavors. The structured acid and fine-grained tannins add length and elegance to the finish and entice you to have just one more sip.
If you’re lucky enough to have this vintage in your cellar, this is an excellent time to open it up! And if you need to replenish your cellar, we have released an allocation this year.
