I love where Sauvignon Blanc is going. I love that winemakers are now working with various clones, implementing various aging techniques, and finding ways to finesse the Sauvignon Blanc expression while simultaneously maintaining the integrity of the fruit.
I have a theory that everything Flora Springs produces is absolutely reliable. In fact, when I pulled this from the cellar last Friday night my partner, who’s more of a Sauv Blanc skeptic than I said, “Ok, but as long as it’s not too Sauv Blanc-y.” And all I had to say in reassurance: “Don’t worry, it’s Flora Springs.” True story. Here’s the rest of it…
About the Wine: The Flora Springs 2017 Sauvignon Blanc is made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes (60% Soliloquy clone, 40% Musque clone) harvested from the winery’s Crossroads Vineyard in Napa Valley’s Oakville appellation. The wine was fermented in stainless steel, then aged for seven months in a combination of stainless steel, large wooden oval casks, concrete “egg” tanks, small French oak barrels and stainless steel drums. The wine in barrel rested on its lees and was stirred every two weeks.
Flavor Profile: Open the bottle of the Flora Springs 2017 Sauvignon Blanc and enjoy aromas of grass, passionfruit, and pineapple. This Sauvignon Blanc is a Champagne-like hue on the pour, settling into the glass just the same, but with just a tinge of green when held up to the light. Initial aromas in the glass are of green apple, green pear, lychee, grass, and tropical flowers. Swirl and the scent tropical fruits become more prominent. Indeed, there’s that lovely “stink” that comes with those fruits as you sit out in the sun licking your sticky fingers from the utter juiciness of it all.
That being said, this wine is dry. The palate of the Flora Springs 2017 Sauvignon Blanc presents a pointillism of texture on the tongue — a shadow of a background. The front of the palate has an almost oil-like texture (not oily per se, but smooth and slippery), but again it’s just lightly present like a translucent screen or curtain. The mid-palate is where these two meet, like the wet sand on the shore. (Does this make sense?) The acid is medium plus to high with the citrus leaving a tingle on the tongue and a salivating sensation throughout the palate.
Dominant Flavors are of lime leaves, lime zest, passion fruit, river rock, lychee, light white floral aromas, melon, and a finish that’s simultaneously calm and clean yet somewhat decadent — reminiscent of a orange cream-cicle.
Food Pairing: I paired the Flora Springs 2017 Sauvignon Blanc with a pizza topped with mushrooms and olives. And yes, it was a delicious pairing but, more importantly, it was a fun pairing. Notes aside, this wine has a gluggability rating of ten out of ten. And if you’re in the mood for something light and refreshing that won’t impede on your meal, or can cut through the decadence of your favorite Friday night meal (mine’s pizza, obviously), then this is a wine to keep in your cellar for just such an occasion.
More Info: I received the Flora Springs 2017 Sauvignon Blanc as a sample for review. (Cheers Mora!) Retail: $27. For more information about Flora Springs, their wines, and to purchase wines directly, please visit the Flora Springs website.
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