Far Niente Post & Beam Cabernet Sauvignon

Far Niente Post & Beam Cabernet Sauvignon is a Napa Valley red blend anchored by 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Awarded 92 points by Wine Enthusiast and 90 points from James Suckling, this wine draws its pedigree directly from Far Niente Wine Estates, one of Napa's most respected producers, while delivering a polished, ready-to-drink Cabernet at an approachable tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Napa Valley, California  |  Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon Blend  |  Producer: Far Niente Wine Estates (Post & Beam)

Production & Heritage

Post & Beam was created as a sub-label of Far Niente Wine Estates, designed to channel the estate's decades of Napa Valley winemaking expertise into wines intended for immediate enjoyment. The blend brings together 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc—a classic Bordeaux-inspired composition. Aging takes place in a combination of 54% new French oak and 46% second-use Schrader Darnajou French oak barrels, a notable detail since Schrader is a fellow Far Niente Wine Estates property known for its cult-status Cabernets. That barrel program imparts layers of toast and spice without overwhelming the fruit, giving Post & Beam a structural sophistication that punches above its weight class.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with dark briar and cassis before moving into ripe plum sauce and subtle clove. Deeper inhalation reveals Christmas spice, a thread of eucalyptus, and gentle oak-derived vanilla.

Taste: The palate entry is plush with red cherry and blackberry, transitioning at mid-palate into concentrated cassis and blueberry pie filling. Toasted mocha and baking spice build through the peak, framed by velvety, well-integrated tannins that give the wine its characteristic structure without grip.

Finish: Extended and harmonious, with lingering tones of dark cherry, toasted vanilla, and cocoa. The tannins resolve cleanly, leaving a mocha-dusted warmth that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Post & Beam Cabernet

Serve at 60–65°F after 30 to 45 minutes of decanting to let the French oak aromatics fully open. This wine is built for the dinner table—pour it alongside grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, or aged hard cheeses. While most Napa Cabernets of this caliber reward cellaring, Far Niente designed Post & Beam specifically for immediate enjoyment, meaning it delivers its full expression right at release without requiring patience in the cellar.

Best For

• Introducing someone to serious Napa Valley Cabernet without the sticker shock of flagship bottlings
• Hosting a steak dinner or hearty autumn meal where the wine needs to stand up to bold flavors
• Gifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates the Far Niente pedigree
• Building a weeknight-to-weekend Cabernet rotation with genuine Napa provenance

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Post & Beam Cabernet taste like? It leads with dark fruit—blackberry, cassis, and ripe plum—supported by toasted mocha, vanilla, and baking spice from French oak aging. The tannins are velvety and resolved, making it approachable on release.

How does Post & Beam compare to Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet? Both are Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons designed for broad appeal, but their oak programs differ significantly: Post & Beam uses exclusively French oak (including second-use Schrader Darnajou barrels), while Silver Oak is aged in American oak, which tends to impart more pronounced vanilla and coconut character. Post & Beam generally shows a tighter, more structured profile with darker fruit tones.

Is Post & Beam good for drinking right away? Yes—Far Niente explicitly designed this label as a wine of immediate enjoyment, with polished tannins and integrated oak that do not require extended cellaring to show well.

Where is Post & Beam made? Post & Beam is produced by Far Niente Wine Estates in Napa Valley, California. The grapes are sourced from Napa Valley vineyards and vinified under the oversight of the Far Niente winemaking team.

What foods pair well with Post & Beam Cabernet? Grilled or pan-seared ribeye steak complements the wine's dark fruit and tannin structure. Braised lamb shanks echo its mocha and spice notes. Aged Gouda or Comté match the toasty oak character. Mushroom risotto bridges the earthy, savory undertones. Dark chocolate desserts mirror the cocoa tones on the finish.

What sizes does Post & Beam Cabernet come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Post & Beam worth the price? Post & Beam positions as an accessible entry point into the Far Niente portfolio, sitting well below the estate's flagship Napa Valley Cabernet. With a 92-point score from Wine Enthusiast and its premium barrel program using Schrader Darnajou French oak, it delivers notable value within the competitive Napa Cabernet category.

Why Post & Beam?

The single strongest argument for this wine is its barrel program: aging in second-use Schrader Darnajou French oak gives Post & Beam a flavor dimension typically reserved for wines at a much higher price point, since Schrader barrels have already been seasoned by one of Napa's most sought-after Cabernet producers. The 92-point Wine Enthusiast score confirms that the quality translates into the glass. For drinkers who want genuine Napa Valley Cabernet with a verified pedigree—not just a Napa address on the label—Post & Beam delivers substance backed by one of the valley's most established estates.