Oakville
2021 Far Niente Benson Vale Cabernet Sauvignon
Oakville
2021 Far Niente Benson Vale Cabernet Sauvignon
- 98 pointsJeb Dunnuck
- 97 pointsJames Suckling
- 95 pointsWine Spectator
Benson Vale's inaugural 2021 vintage is opulent, generous, and made to mark an occasion. A collaboration between Far Niente's Nicole Marchesi and consulting winemaker Thomas...
$500
The Details
Varietal
Cabernet Sauvignon (100%)
Aging
20 months in barrel 100% French Oak 85% new oak (73% Taransaud, 23% Marcel Cadet, 4% Quintessence) Unfined and Unfiltered
Skin Contact
17 days
Harvest Dates
September 30 - October 15, 2021
Release Date
Summer 2024
Winemaker
Nicole Marchesi
The 2021 drought and mild summer led to small, flavorful grapes, and high-quality wine.
The 2021 growing season began under drought conditions with little winter rain. A dry spring and windy May led to early budbreak and bloom. Mild summer months with few heat spikes allowed slow ripening, resulting in small but intensely flavored grapes. As harvest approached, the quality remained excellent, with vineyard flavor intensity carrying through to the winery. This outstanding season yielded high-quality, flavorful grapes, marking 2021 as a remarkable year for the vineyards.
Capturing a sense of place in Napa Valley’s famed Oakville.
Oakville is prized for its gravelly, volcanic soils, and enjoys the warmth of mountain-hugged valley and the cooling influence of the bay. These conditions combine to create Cabernet Sauvignons with elegant fruit flavors and supple tannins.
Harvested from Martin Stelling Vineyard
Situated behind Far Niente’s historic winery against the western hills of Oakville, this vineyard is named for Martin Stelling, the estate’s previous owner, who presided over what was considered the most extensive, elite vineyard in the world, including most of modern-day Oakville. Known for its richness and structure, yet remarkable finesse, both Far Niente and Nickel & Nickel source from Stelling to craft their stunning Cabernets. Surrounded by the famed To Kalon, Martha’s Vineyard, and Harlan Estate, this historic vineyard began its latest replanting in 2022 with the guidance of renowned consultants Thomas Rivers Brown and Garrett Buckland to ensure it remains a pinnacle of Napa Valley winemaking.
Learn More
98 Points
Jeb Dunnuck
“A solid step up (although that's splitting hairs at this level), the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Benson Vale has a gorgeous nose of pure cassis and darker currant fruits as well as classic Oakville iron, black olive, and smoked tobacco notes to go with a full-bodied, deep, rich, incredibly concentrated style on the palate. It's a true wow wine that readers will love.”