1996 Flora Springs Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Reserve

The dark ruby/purple-colored, stunningly rich 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Reserve is still in need of bottle age. The wine reveals a saturated color, as well as a promising but restrained nose of toasty new oak, jammy blackberries, cassis, licorice, and spice. It is extremely rich and spicy in the mouth, with moderate tannin, full body, superb purity of flavor, and outstanding potential. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2022. The unfiltered Hillside Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons, which are made in limited quantities of about 800 cases per vintage, are special wines that deserves readers' attention. The Flora Spring Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons spend 12 months in old oak barrels, and are then moved to 100% new oak for 10 months, after which they are racked into tanks and bottled unfiltered. As my tasting notes have consistently revealed, the wines are usually better from bottle than they were from barrel. Tel. (707) 963-5711; Fax (707) 963-7518