International Wine Report 93 POINTS Jeb Dunnuck 91 POINTS Wine Spectator 91 points - Focused and elegant, this features notes of lemongrass to the green apple and ripe citrus flavors. The finish offers accents of dried sage and spice. Drink now through 2023. 40,790 cases made..June/2019 The Far Niente 2018 Estate Chardonnay Napa Valley offers up a bevy of aromas of melon, hazelnut, citrus, fig, and spice are complemented by toasty notes in the nose. The palate offers a full entry with floral notes that lead through layers of fruit that give structure and complexity. The length and balance are impressive as they lead to a mouth-watering finish. Far Niente Chardonnay is a careful blend of estate vineyards that grow in the cooler southern areas of the Napa Valley. Once winemaker Stephanie Putnam determined when to pick each block, the grapes were handpicked, sorted, pressed and then the juice was settled. Fermentation in French oak barrels usually lasts about three weeks and then the wine is aged on its yeast for another 8-9 months before the final blend is determined.