Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 is a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. This vintage earned 95 points from both Jeb Dunnuck and Wine Enthusiast, the latter designating it a Cellar Selection — a distinction reserved for wines with exceptional aging potential and quality.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Oakville, Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2018  |  Winery: Far Niente

Production & Heritage

Far Niente Winery was originally established in 1885 in western Oakville before falling dormant during Prohibition. Revived in 1979 by Gil Nickel, it has since become one of Napa Valley's most recognized estate-driven producers. The winery is constructed against a hillside, functioning as a gravity-flow facility that gently moves fruit through each production stage to minimize handling and preserve fruit integrity. The 2018 blend is composed of 93.3% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3.8% Petit Verdot, 2.3% Cabernet Franc, 0.5% Merlot, and 0.1% Malbec, aged for 17 months in French oak barrels — 65% new and 35% once-used — lending structure and complexity without overwhelming the fruit.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with concentrated blackcurrant and dark bramble fruits, layered with violets and tobacco leaf. As the wine breathes, secondary notes of lead pencil, graphite, and new leather emerge, signaling the depth characteristic of the 2018 Napa vintage.

Taste: On the palate, entry is plush and fruit-forward with dark cherry and plum giving way to a mid-palate of espresso, bittersweet chocolate, and baking spice. The mouthfeel is substantial yet poised, supported by nicely integrated acidity, ripe building tannins, and subtle dried herb and clove accents. A touch of earthiness grounds the wine and provides savory counterpoint to the fruit density.

Finish: The finish is long and layered, with lingering graphite, licorice, and dark chocolate persisting well after the last sip. Tannins remain fine-grained and resolved, tapering with a subtle spice that invites the next glass.

How to Drink Far Niente 2018

This wine is best enjoyed at cellar temperature (60–65°F) with at least 30 minutes of decanting to open its aromatic complexity; it rewards patient, attentive sipping neat in a large-bowled Bordeaux glass. For pairing with food rather than cocktails — as a still wine, it is a natural companion to composed dishes. Grilled bone-in ribeye draws out the wine's dark fruit and spice. Braised short ribs with red wine reduction mirror its depth and earthiness. A charcuterie board featuring aged Gouda, bresaola, and dark chocolate provides a textural and flavor contrast that highlights the Petit Verdot's floral edge.

Best For

• Cellaring for long-term aging — the Wine Enthusiast Cellar Selection designation supports drinking through the late 2020s and beyond
• Gifting a serious Napa Valley wine collector or Cabernet enthusiast
• Anchoring a multi-course steak dinner or special anniversary meal
• Vertical tasting alongside other Far Niente vintages to explore vintage variation in Oakville fruit

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Far Niente 2018 taste like? The dominant profile centers on dark cherry, blackcurrant, and plum, with prominent secondary layers of espresso, bittersweet chocolate, graphite, and baking spice. Ripe tannins and integrated acidity give the wine a full but balanced structure with a long, savory finish.

How does Far Niente 2018 compare to Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet? Both are flagship Napa Valley Cabernets, but Far Niente uses predominantly French oak (65% new) for 17 months, producing a more structured, graphite-edged profile, while Silver Oak is known for extended aging in American oak, which lends a sweeter, more vanilla-driven character. The Far Niente 2018 scored 95 points from Jeb Dunnuck, reflecting its critical standing among top-tier Napa Cabernets.

Is Far Niente 2018 good for sipping neat? Absolutely — this is a wine built for contemplative drinking, with enough complexity and tannin structure to reward slow, undistracted tasting from a proper glass with some decanting time.

Where is Far Niente 2018 made? Far Niente Winery is located in western Oakville, in the heart of Napa Valley, California. The hillside facility operates as a gravity-flow winery, a design that gently moves grapes and juice through production without mechanical pumping.

What foods pair well with Far Niente 2018? Grilled ribeye or filet mignon highlights the wine's dark fruit and tannic grip. Braised lamb shanks with rosemary complement its herbal undertones. Aged hard cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano or aged Gouda match its structure. Dark chocolate desserts echo the espresso and cacao notes on the palate. Mushroom risotto bridges the wine's earthy, savory qualities.

What sizes does Far Niente 2018 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle; Far Niente occasionally produces magnums (1.5L) for select vintages, though availability varies.

Is Far Niente 2018 worth the price? Far Niente positions as a premium Napa Valley estate Cabernet, and the 2018 vintage — with dual 95-point scores from Jeb Dunnuck and Wine Enthusiast plus a Cellar Selection nod — represents strong critical validation within its price tier, particularly for collectors seeking ageworthy Oakville fruit.

Why Far Niente 2018?

The 2018 vintage is widely regarded as one of the finest recent growing seasons in Napa Valley, and Far Niente's rendition capitalizes on that quality with a wine that earned 95 points from both Jeb Dunnuck and Wine Enthusiast. The gravity-flow winemaking at Far Niente's hillside Oakville facility preserves the purity of estate fruit in a way that mechanical processing cannot replicate. With 17 months in carefully proportioned French oak and a five-varietal Bordeaux-style blend, this is a wine that balances power with precision. For drinkers seeking a benchmark Oakville Cabernet with proven aging credentials, the 2018 stands as one of the strongest recent entries in Far Niente's portfolio.