Far Niente Napa Valley Chardonnay

Dry, rich and polished, with bright acidity. This is a full-bodied Chardonnay with a creamy texture and a fresh, mineral edge. The nose shows melon, citrus blossom, white peach and honeysuckle. The palate brings ripe pear, stone fruit, lemon zest and a touch of white fig. Toasted oak adds vanilla and hazelnut. The acidity is lively, and the finish is long and juicy.

Far Niente’s Chardonnay comes mostly from Coombsville, a cool pocket east of the city of Napa with gravelly loam and volcanic ash soils. It is 100% Chardonnay, including the estate’s Charlemagne clone, prized for a creamy, mineral mid-palate. Fermentation begins in stainless steel and finishes in French oak barrels, where the wine ages on its fine lees. Malolactic fermentation is blocked to keep natural acidity. It is bottled in a 750 mL bottle.

It gains richness with a few years in bottle. Serve lightly chilled with lobster, crab or roast chicken.