2012 Far Niente, Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville, Napa Valley, Bottle (750ml)

DR96 "The justly admired Oakville winery has been a Napa Valley fixture since 1979, when it was founded by the late Gil Nickel. From the outset the winemaker has been Dirk Hampson, though today he keeps a knowing eye on the winery’s young winemaking team. But his steady presence, as well as that of the Nickel family, has ensured a consistency of style over the decades. Today all wines are estate-grown, and the vineyards are close to Martha’s Vineyard and other iconic sites. This wine is aged for 17 months in more than 80% new oak, and is always rich and polished. (Drink between 2016-2035)"

RP94+ "A great effort from Far Niente in this truly magnificent vintage, with its similarities to 2002, the Far Niente 2012 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon has a dense purple color, plenty of structure and aging potential, and an impressive inner core of sweet crème de cassis fruit, licorice and background vanilla. This wine is still very much an infant in its evolution, and should keep for 20-30 years. Many 2012s are excessively generous, open-knit and fleshy, but this is holding a lot back. And wow, it is “locked and loaded.” I wouldn’t be surprised to see this wine increase in score in about 5-10 years, and actually merit an even higher score. Bravo!" Robert Parker, Oct 2014