Far Niente Premiere Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville 2019

Premiere Napa Valley is a bit like the World Cup – all the best producers are there, assembling their best rosters that are sure to impress. We love this event and are always on the lookout for something truly special...Far Niente’s Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Lot No. 36 2019 is just such a wine!

“Premiere lures major trade customers from across the world to California, where they can taste, mingle, and buy one-off wines made specially for the occasion, much like a booze-soaked bake sale.” – The Robb Report

Indeed! And that’s why we do it every year! The event is a centerpiece of the Napa Valley Vintners, where, for 3-4 days a year, trade members like us get to bid on TINY quantities of very special wines (literally the best in the cellar), crafted just for this event, and we are able to taste the lots over a few hours before the bidding begins! While reminiscent of the historic Hospices de Beaune in Burgundy, the process is uniquely American. These will not be seen again, EVER!

Far Niente! This is a legit, old-school Oakville legend, with its classically picturesque estate and gardens, and the journey-back-in-time feel to that gently winding driveway lined with hundreds of golden ginkgo trees. The wine is stellar too – some of the most age-worthy cabernets and chardonnays (not to mention their Sauterne-like Dolce!) in Napa Valley. This FIVE CASE production cabernet sauvignon is taken from the very best barrels of their historic Martin Stelling estate vineyard – smack dab in the heart of Oakville’s Rodeo Drive, butting up against the likes of Harlan Estate, Bond, Promontory, and To Kalon itself! We simply can’t wait to share this with our loyal First Bottle faithful. Here’s the winery’s description straight from our PNV catalog on auction night:

- "Your wine is 100% Oakville estate wine."

- "It is a unique blend of our favorite blocks from the Martin Stelling Vineyard, including Petit Verdot."

- "Aging 20 months in 100% French oak."

- "The 2019 vintage produced wines marked by silky texture, juicy acidity, and soft, melting tannins."

Their far larger production wine from this estate garnered a 96 POINT score from the folks at Wine Enthusiast… can you imagine what this tip-top cuvee would get? We’re thinking 98+ (which is why we bid like mad to get it)!

We’re talking freshly roasted espresso bean, dark chocolate shavings, kirsch, blueberry, clove, anise, and supple dark cherries. This is cashmere levels of soft and silky in the mouth, with powerful and elegant tannins that drive a never-ending finish of sheer delight! Wowee! If you love Napa cab, I mean REALLY love Napa cab; your life will not be complete until you taste this wine. Sixty bottles total is all the world gets...and we have every single one! While they last!