Hey guys, I’m going to keep this short and sweet. It’s no secret that I love everything from Flora Springs — red, white, it doesn’t matter. If the search bar is working on this site, search Flora Springs and read about their varied amazingness. Case and point: Merlot. I don’t often post when I revisit wines — unless a wine is that good. And, yes, this wine is that good. Hooked? Keep reading…
About the Wine: The Flora Springs 2016 Merlot is made of 100% Merlot grapes harvested from the winery’s estate vineyards located in the St. Helena, Rutherford and Oakville AVAs of Napa Valley, California. The wine aged in combination French and American oak barrels for 15 months.
14.2% ABV
Flavor Profile: Open the bottle of the Flora Springs Merlot and be greeted with jammy aromas of black plums, the umami of foraged mushrooms, and just a hint of muddy soil. This merlot is a rich, velvet maroon on the pour, settling into the glass with a nearly impenetrable core. But the color oh-so-subtly releases to a faded rouge just along the outer-most perimeter. Initial aromas are of fresh cedar wood, macerated black cherry, and an active acidity. Swirl and find hints of chocolate, eucalyptus, and in the background, as you lift the nose just above the glass and swirl, some deep, dark, brooding florals.
The palate of the Flora Springs Merlot is full, but soft, cottony with tannins that just gently coat the tongue and melt away. The acidity rides evenly from start to finish, balancing the texture and uplifting the flavors. Dominant flavors are very similar to the nose; the mid-palate highlights the chocolate notes; the finish highlights the wood qualities; the after breath highlights the herbaceous notes with a freshness of eucalyptus combined with a bit of anise. This all culminates to a linger flavor reminiscent of a black forest cake.
Food Pairing: I paired the Flora Springs Merlot with a sesame crusted ahi tuna, served with wild rice and balsamic-glazed mushrooms. Yes, it was a bit of Asian-French fusion that was absolutely delicious. The pairing, spot on. The tuna, fresh with just a kiss of sear round the edges stood up well alongside this simultaneously strong and soft Merlot. The balsamic glazed uplifted some of the more decadent aromas and flavors while the mushrooms themselves and the heartiness of the wild rice brought out those earthier elements.
More Info: I received the Flora Springs 2016 Merlot as a sample for review. (Cheers Miriam!) Price: $35. For more information about Flora Springs, their wines, and to purchase wine directly, please visit the Flora Springs website.
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**Please note: all reviews and opinions are my own and are not associated with any of my places of business. I will always state when a wine has been sent as a sample for review. Sending samples for review on my personal website in no way guarantees coverage in any other media outlet I may be currently associated with.**
