Vineyard Notes: The 100-acre Martin Stelling Vineyard, located behind the winery in Oakville, is the cornerstone of the Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon program. The vineyard is composed of two distinct areas. The flat acreage uniformly produces wines with supple, sweet tannins and bright, forward fruit. Halter Valley, which is the extension of the vineyard that starts into foothills of the Mayacamas, is composed of gently rolling knolls. This section of the vineyard includes more diverse individual read more...Vineyard Notes: The 100-acre Martin Stelling Vineyard, located behind the winery in Oakville, is the cornerstone of the Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon program. The vineyard is composed of two distinct areas. The flat acreage uniformly produces wines with supple, sweet tannins and bright, forward fruit. Halter Valley, which is the extension of the vineyard that starts into foothills of the Mayacamas, is composed of gently rolling knolls. This section of the vineyard includes more diverse individual blocks that provide wines of great tannin and structure. These vineyards, together with small contributions from two other Oakville vineyards, combine to produce Far Niente Estate Bottled Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville. Harvest Notes: The weather this year kept us on our toes; intermittent hot and cold spells were the theme of the season. Cooler temperatures in August and September contributed to a slightly later start to harvest than usual, but a nice heat spike the weekend of September 12th really kicked the vines into gear. Most of our grapes were picked in the later part of October, which required a lot of patience on our part, as we waited for the grapes to ripen. Fortunately, our patience was rewarded with a beautiful Indian summer the last two weeks of October. Tasting Notes: Forward aromas of cassis, licorice, anise and tobacco, complemented by notes of black currant, are present on the nose. The plush, silky entry provides an opening to flavors of blackberry and black cherry fruit on the palate, with a dense core of chewy tannin. The fruit darkens on the palate, and notes of toasty oak with an underlying layer of black cherry emerge on the long, sweet finish. Appellation: Oakville Harvest Dates: September 20, October 11-29, 2003 Varietals: 94% Cabernet Sauvignon 5% Petite Verdot 1% Cabernet Franc Skin Contact: 12-13 days (64% pressed before dryness) Aging: 18 months in French oak (73% new, 27% once-used) Fermentation: Typical for red wine Release Date: April 2006 Cases Produced: 8,500 cases (hide)