Nicely restrained, like luxe dark chocolate, this well-balanced and brooding wine shows Far Niente at the top of its game, wrapping fine-grained tannins around superb cassis, black-cherry and blueberry flavors that will expand and gain complexity with time. - Jim Gordon

Aromas of dark plums, black olives, bark, dried herbs and cloves. Medium-to full-bodied with powdery tannins. Rich and creamy with chocolate and black fruit on the palate. Chewy finish with excellent length. Fresh. Drink from 2023.

Deep ruby-hued, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon has a textbook Cabernet nose of ripe red and black fruits, leafy herbs, tobacco, spicy oak, and loamy earth. Nicely textured on the palate, it shows the supple elegance of the 2019 vintage, has ripe tannins, medium to full body, and outstanding length. It's a beautifully balanced, classic 2019 to drink any time over the coming 15 to 20 years. The blend is 94% Cabernet, 4% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, aged 17 months in 65% new French oak. There are 20,000 cases produced, which is certainly impressive at this quality level.

Far Niente's 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is based on Oakville fruit (about 40% to 50% of the blend), with smaller contributions from Oak Knoll, Calistoga, St. Helena, Diamond Mountain and Stags Leap. The result offers a charming blend of cherries and cassis, with hints of sage, mint and dried spices. A blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot and smaller amounts of Malbec and Petit Verdot, all aged 16 to 17 months in French oak (two-thirds new), it's medium to full-bodied, with a slightly chunky, corpulent feel on the palate and a long, softly dusty finish. - Joe Czerwinski

Broad in feel, this has a nice well of dark currant and blackberry fruit in reserve, along with ample loam, menthol and sweet tobacco notes. Reveals a cedary echo through the finish. Approachable already. Drink now through 2034. – JM