WINEMAKER NOTES:
Our Napa Valley Merlot is a perennial favorite at Flora Springs, an approachable wine with an easy-going texture that just hits all the pleasure buttons. The 2017 vintage draws on estate fruit from our sustainably-farmed vineyards in Oakville, St. Helena and Rutherford, properties we have owned and farmed for decades. This 100% Merlot spent 20 months in mostly French oak barrels and delivers flavors of ripe blueberries and cherry liqueur layered with luscious notes of vanilla wafers and dark chocolate. There’s a hint of chaparral that adds freshness to the palate along with warm traces of cardamom and cinnamon spice. This is a classic, beautifully-balanced Napa Valley Merlot, polished and rich with velvety tannins and a long, silky finish. It would be a wonderful companion to cumin-scented roast pork tenderloin, tomato risotto, pizza margherita or pasta with ricotta and lemon.
ON THE VINE:
2017 began with winter rain, and lots of it, enough to fill reservoirs, replenish groundwater and bring a five year drought in California to an end. Our spring weather was mild, and due to the abundance of water the vines experienced vigorous growth. We were vigilant about canopy management, going through our vineyards and removing excess leaves to ensure the developing grapes had adequate sunlight and air flow. With just a few summer heat spikes, it first appeared that harvest would proceed at a normal pace, but a heat wave over Labor Day weekend hastened picking during the first two weeks of September. Cooler temperatures arrived in mid-September, giving our red fruit extra time on the vine. Overall though, harvest was early in 2017; the last of Flora Springs’ grapes were harvested on Saturday, October 7.