95pts Wine Enthusiast - Cellar Selection

This memorable Cabernet Sauvignon has small amounts of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec blended in. Aged 17 months in a majority of new French oak, it unfurls flavors of red fruit, dried herb and clove over a core of youthful tannin and spicy oak. Best from 2028–2038. 

95pts Jeb Dunnuck

Including small amounts of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Malbec, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon sports a deep purple color as well as classic Cabernet notes of blackcurrants, new leather, tobacco leaf, flowers, and lead pencil. Beautifully done on the palate and made in a seamless, elegant style, it has a kiss of Pauillac in its nicely integrated acidity, ripe, building tannins, a touch of earthiness, and a great finish. It's not a blockbuster, just seamless and elegant, with a thrilling character. It should keep for 20+ years.

95pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Bottled is mostly from the Stelling Vineyard, with contributions from Sullenger, plus a bit of Malbec and Petit Verdot from Airshow Vineyard on Oakville Cross Road. The final blend is 90.7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6.6% Petit Verdot and 2.7% Malbec, all aged 20 months in 70% new French oak. Cedar, cherries, black cherries, cassis and subtle sage shadings all appear on the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is fleshy and supple, pretty soft and ready to go, but with just enough velvety tannins on the finish to suggest moderate ageability.

94pts Wilfred Wong of Wine

The 2018 Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits outstanding and expressive nuances from start to finish. Its palate is at once sleek and penetrating. This wine offers aromas and flavors of black fruit and attractive savory spices in its aromas and flavors. Enjoy it with a well-spiced, rack of lamb. 

94pts Vinous 

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Bottled from Far Niente is a gorgeous wine. Bold and juicy, with soft, plush tannins, the 2018 is a wonderfully seductive Cabernet that will drink well right out of the gate. Succulent dark cherry, plum, espresso, chocolate and spice flesh out over time. This racy, easygoing Cabernet is full of charm.

92pts Wine Spectator

This has good energy, with a brambly spine driving plum and black currant fruit along while a solid bolt of iron runs underneath. Savory and bay accents hang in the background throughout. Best from 2021 through 2031. 19,535 cases made.

Tasting Notes

Generous aromas of blackberry, chocolate covered cherries and espresso give way
to a full midpalate filled with black cherry and berry flavors, accented by dusky
dark cocoa and toffee notes. Fine-grained tannins offer structure from start to
end, with a velvety finish layered with ripe, lingering black fruit flavors. 

About the Wine

Cave Collection wines are cellared in ideal conditions and released annually on allocation. Highly sought after and limited, the 2018 vintage opens with generous aromas of blackberry, chocolate-covered cherries, and espresso that give way to a full midpalate filled with black cherry and berry flavors, accented by dusky dark cocoa and toffee notes. Fine-grained tannins offer structure from start to end, with a velvety finish layered with ripe, lingering black fruit flavors.

Vineyard Notes

The Martin Stelling Vineyard, located behind the winery in Oakville, is the
cornerstone of Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon. Planted on some of the most beautiful,
gravelly loam soil in the Napa Valley, the vineyard uniformly produces wines
with supple tannins, bright, forward fruit, and beautiful tannin structure. 

Blend: 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec