Far niente and Mayacamas visit

Stopped by Far Niente for the the first time in many years and had a great time. Cave collection tasting and tour as they were bringing in the chardonnay harvest for pressing and cave tour. It said it came with seasonal tastings but I want expecting a full on meal of soup, small rack of lamb and dessert.

Biggest surprise to me was I didn't realize they have produced Dolce for so long. Some of those older bottles look amazing and the color of amber.

2019 little more jammy than the others, little more vanilla notes, still strong black fruit little overpowering
2018 little more black fruit than 17, creme de cassis, less earth and chalk than 17. Just not as pronounced
2017 winner of the 3, black fruit and currant, Earl gray, flintly and chalk notes, only slightly oak
2021 Benson Vale. A serious powerhouse of a wine, big nose of black fruit and herbal notes, cassis and vanilla like a toasted marshmallow, very strong tannins. Could be a great wine in time but for 500 a bottle i didn't find it that worth it versus the cave collection.

Mayacamas as always is my go to. As it was my friend first time having them we pretty much tasted the board from rose to pinot noir.

But the true winner of the night was the 1995 Sauvignon Blanc, chalky, tropical, pears slight pineapple, honey, slight lemon grass.

Finished the night with a bottle of the 1996 Pinot noir which is just amazing as well. Beautiful red color, not deep but light, bright red fruit, cherries but not an overpowering Willamette PN cherry profile more mute and old world. Very earthy, Forrest floor, hints of coco but very tart and crisp mouth feel. I haven't found a bottle of their Pinot i didn't like so far.