Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Deep ruby color with purple highlights. Aromas of black fruit, iron and wet soil. Flavors of blackberry, black plum, dark chocolate and baking spices. Noticeable “Rutherford Dust” on the long, earthy and savory finish. Soft tannins. Alcohol and acidity are quite abundant and noticeable. Lower (more Medium) bodied then I expected. Well balanced and quite interesting. — 5 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Nickel & Nickel – Vaca Vista Vineyard – Cab Sauv– 2022
Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley, California 🇺🇸

Overview
A single-vineyard Napa Cabernet sourced from the cool and elegant Oak Knoll District. Fermented and aged with the classic Nickel & Nickel precision, this expression favors balance, red-to-dark fruit purity, and structure over sheer power. A modern Napa style that emphasizes approachability without sacrificing depth.

Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, cassis, plum, and violet, with cedar, vanilla, graphite, and a touch of baking spice. Subtle oak integration allows the fruit and minerality to shine.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus in body, polished, and cohesive. Fresh acidity, supple tannins, and a graceful arc from entry to finish. Not a bruiser — a refined, cooler-climate profile that stays lively and lifted.

Food Pairings
Flat iron steak, short ribs, mushroom risotto, grilled lamb chops, herb-crusted pork tenderloin, or aged cheeses.

Verdict
A beautifully balanced, site-driven Napa Cabernet that delivers both sophistication and drinkability. Finessed rather than forceful, and a strong example of why Oak Knoll continues to be one of Napa’s most exciting AVAs for Cabernet.

Did You Know?
Nickel & Nickel was founded by the Far Niente family with a mission to produce 100% varietal, single-vineyard wines, showcasing Napa’s terroir with clarity. Oak Knoll is one of Napa Valley’s coolest sub-AVAs, producing elegant, aromatic reds with natural acidity and restraint.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
Oak Knoll being a single-vineyard expression from this sub-AVA makes it one of the easiest, most easygoing Cabernets from the Napa floor, and I always like to have it as an opener when pouring more intense Napa reds. A perfect warm-up that sets the stage beautifully. — 6 months ago

Mark Mannebach

9.3

Dark cherry, boysenberry upfront with a long finish with tobacco and chocolate notes. — 9 months ago

Joe DAscoli

9.3

On the older side. Little raisin flavor but overall still good wine. — 10 months ago

Joe DAscoli

9.4

Solid wine. Comes across very fruity and smooth. Complexity and tannins are faded. Really nice fruit. Highly enjoyable with food or on its own. — a year ago

Nathan Renfro

9.3

Very distinct cherry nose and primary fruit. Supple chalky tannins with big ripe cherries. Some earthiness but cherry dominant. Medium bodied, well structured, probably has a few more years left. Medium finish. — 3 years ago

Frank Soldano

9.9

Drinking the 2017 in 2026. Love this wine!! Deep rich color. Thick long lasting legs. Nose starts with hints of blackberry and oak, with a smooth toasted oak finish. Very smooth with low tannins. Flavor is rich with dark ripe fruit and oak. Love this wine!! — 4 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2022 vintage. Decanted and tasted after 30 minutes. Medium/medium-heavy body. Ripe nose. This was supple and giving from the get-go. Nice mineral subtleties beneath the richness currently. Thank you @Neil Valenzuela 12.10.25. — 6 months ago

with Neil

Andy@andyberke.com

9.2

Really spectacular. A lot of personality, especially up front — 8 months ago

Dan Cobb

9.4

Super approachable for a 6 yr old can. Very enjoyable — 9 months ago

Paul Woolls

9.4

Twenty years old and still full of fruit. What a joy to experience this longevity. Plush, with a long finish. — a year ago

Remington Remmel

9.8

Red raspberry, long rich finish. Light spice — a year ago

Chip Habegger

9.3

Excellent. A fruitier vin santo — 2 years ago

Bobbi Jo Broxson

9.4

Happy Birthday Heather — 6 months ago

with Brian and Heather

Scot Walker

9.0

Dark fruit, espresso and black currant in the nose with dark fruit in the palate. Paired well with both a smoked cheese and salami. — 6 months ago

Frank Soldano

9.2

Drinking the 2017 in 2025. Fruit forward bouquet with earthy hints on the finish. Thin legs that quickly dissipate. Light flavors with sweet ripe fruit notes and light tannins. Smooth finish. — 7 months ago

Austin Hohnke

9.1

Nicely balanced and fresh with sliced apple, pear, melon, papaya, tangerine, and a brush of vanilla from 10 months in barrel (30% new). There’s a salty streak here that I didn’t expect. Not over the top. Entry level single vineyard from Far Niente. — 8 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

1 of CA's oldest wineries, Far Niente, founded 1885 by John Benson. Winery flourished until Prohibition, when it was abandoned & fell into complete disrepair. Stately stone shell of a winery purchased in 1979 by Gil Nickel. A big wine! Tropical and stone fruit aromas with complex spice and oak notes. On the palate apple, peach and citrus flavors, creamy, with buttery toasty oak, fig/honey tones. Long finish ending with vibrant acidity & mineral character. Consistent. — a year ago

Gujumack

9.0

First of four bottles from cellar. Very flavorful from nose to finish. Interesting taste of liquorice in the finish.. a bit too much so need to see if that persists over the aging years. Overall a wonderful, expressive wine. — 2 years ago

Kate

9.2

Just opened. Probably needs time to breathe. Still enjoying. Smells earthy. Chewy but smooth. Dark fruit. Softening up. — 4 years ago