Far Niente Napa Valley Chardonnay(2006)

with Far Niente Chardonnay.

Harvest Notes:
In 2006, we witnessed the infamous New Year's Eve floods in Napa and throughout the
valley. Although the heavy rains had no effect on the grapevines, as they were dormant, the
pattern of rain continued into the spring; it was one of the wettest seasons we had over the
last 150 years. The rain delayed budbreak and bloom by about three weeks, which
ultimately contributed to a late harvest. Summer began with an incredible heat spike in
mid-June, but we were fortunate not to sustain any damage to the vines or the grapes. The
season continued with moderate-to-warm temperatures and culminated in lots of foggy
mornings in the late summer. These are the ideal conditions to ignite Botrytis, which our
Dolce winemaker was excited about, but we had to really keep a close eye on the
Chardonnay vineyards to avoid any problems. Harvest began three weeks later than usual.
It was the second late year in a row, and in fact, we began picking in 2006 on the very same
day as we did in 2005. The Chardonnay harvest continued into mid-October, and we even
sustained a little rainfall during that time, but it was just enough to dust off the grapes and
brighten the well-developed, ripe flavors.

Tasting Notes:
Aromas of melon, guava and ripe fig are layered with toasty spices that resemble hazelnut and
clove. Upon entry, the wine is round and creamy and the palate brings forth a tropical minerality
that balances a spicy, toasty finish. Far Niente Chardonnay has never gone through malolactic
fermentation, as we prefer bright fruit and crisp acidity in our Chardonnay. Sur lie aging and
regular stirring of the lees provide creamy layers of complexity.

Appellation: Napa Valley
Harvest Dates: September 20 – Ocotber 16, 2006
Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Aging: 9 months sur lie in French oak (70% new, 30% once-used)
Fermentation: 100% barrel; No ML
Release Date: September 2007

Director of Winemaking Dirk Hampson
Winemaker Stephanie Putnam

Far Niente Winery
P.O. Box 327
Oakville, CA 94562
Phone: 707-944-2861
Fax: 707-944-2312
Email: info@farniente.com
Website: www.farniente.com    (hide)