Far Niente Estate Chardonnay 2024- New Release Flavors, Pricing, and Specs

As a sommelier with over a decade of experience tasting and reviewing new vintages, I’m delighted to share my review of Far Niente Winery’s newest 2024 Chardonnay release. As a long-time Napa Valley wine enthusiast, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Far Niente’s stunning grounds and sampling many of their exceptional Chardonnays over the years.

Founded in 1879, Far Niente is one of Napa’s pioneering and most reputable wineries, crafting Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon blends acclaimed for their balance, complexity, and age-worthiness. I’ve always found their Chardonnays in particular to be elegant yet full-bodied, with intense fruit flavors beautifully complemented by oak notes. For more information on Far Niente’s history and their range of wines, visit Far Niente’s official website.

So when Far Niente recently sent me a bottle of their 2024 Estate Chardonnay to sample pre-release, I was eager to give it a taste. Below I’ll share my tasting notes, along with some background on what makes this new vintage so special.

A Stellar Vintage Following Years of Drought

2024 comes on the heels of several difficult drought years in Napa, which significantly reduced yields. However, late spring rains this year helped revive vines and clusters. Summer brought consistently warm, sunny days, enabling thorough ripening while cooler nights preserved acidity. Learn more about how weather conditions impact wine production from Wine Spectator.

Winemaker Larry Maguire confirms 2024 yielded exceptionally high-quality Chardonnay grapes. Their smaller, concentrated clusters offer intense tropical fruit flavors beautifully balanced by bright acidity. Far Niente expects this vintage will age even more gracefully than previous years, evolving for over a decade. For insights into winemaking practices, check out Wine Enthusiast.

Tasting Notes: A Refined, Minerally Chardonnay

As soon as I poured myself a glass, I was struck by this Chardonnay’s brilliant golden hue and lush aromas of pineapple, mango, and white peach, with a hint of citrus blossom.

My first sip revealed a rich, full-bodied palate with remarkable concentration, tempered by mouthwatering acidity. Flavors of ripe yellow apple, honeydew melon, and lemon curd coat the palate, with traces of butterscotch and hazelnut from nine months aging in 40% new French oak barrels. For more on the aging process and how it influences flavor, visit Decanter.

This Chardonnay finishes with an almost saline minerality I’ve come to expect from Far Niente, along with a touch of spice. Despite its youth, this wine already demonstrates impressive balance and complexity that will only evolve over the next decade in the bottle. For additional information on wine aging, refer to The Oxford Companion to Wine.

I’d suggest pairing this Chardonnay with similarly rich dishes like lobster bisque, seafood linguine, or roasted chicken. It can certainly hold its own against most non-spicy Asian foods as well.

Pricing and Availability

The 2024 Far Niente Chardonnay will retail for $185 per 750ml bottle upon its release in early 2025. With only 4,500 cases produced, I expect supplies to move quickly. For purchasing information and availability, you can visit Wine.com or check with local wine shops.

Wine club members will receive priority allocation, while some restaurants and wine shops focused on small-production Napa wines may get limited quantities. Given the tiny production volume and reputation of this Chardonnay, I strongly recommend inquiring about availability to avoid missing out!

Far Niente Has Crafted an Age-Worthy Masterpiece

As both Far Niente’s winemaker and my own tasting confirm, the 2024 growing season has yielded an exquisite Chardonnay. While delicious now, I believe this wine will only gain nuance and complexity over the next 5-15 years based on past vintages. For more on Far Niente’s aging potential, see The Wine Advocate.

Of the many celebrated Napa Chardonnays I’ve enjoyed, Far Niente’s are always amongst the very best. Their talented winemaking team has once again created a rich, intensely flavored yet balanced Chardonnay that beautifully expresses Napa’s exceptional terroir. I’d suggest pairing this Chardonnay with similarly rich dishes like lobster bisque, seafood linguine, or roasted chicken. It can certainly hold its own against most non-spicy Asian foods as well.

I rank this newest Estate Chardonnay release amongst Far Niente’s finest ever. Any serious wine lover or collector would do well to acquire several bottles before they vanish from shelves. This is a stunning Chardonnay that promises to handsomely reward long-term cellaring.

For more updates on wine trends, check out our article on Emerging Wine Trends in 2024-Unique Varietals and Regions to Watch