Shay A

9.1

Christmas Day wine 🎄🎅🏼🍷

Acquired this for two reasons: Flora Springs was my “a-ha” wine 10yrs ago which started my wine journey, and secondly because it’s my sister-in-law’s birth year.

Enjoyed on Christmas Day (with said sister-in-law) and family (the family who introduced me to wine + Flora Springs). Kept the bottle standing for a few days. In the glass, there was bricking but the color was much more vibrant than expected. Aromatically, it showed mushroom and fig, but a good bit of muddled red and black berry fruit, some mint as well. Alive, elegant and bright on the palate with good tannin structure (held strong the two hours it was open). Small hint of tobacco at the finish, but the berry fruit stayed persistent keeping the flavors balanced. Undeniably older Napa (13%) and in great shape. — 6 months ago

Jakub Kalinowski

9.2

Starts off with a very evolved fruity character, but that quickly blows off.
Lovely purity beyond that - fresh black currant, with a bit of darker, earthy undergrowth, some red fruit, a hint of cedar wood, a touch of bell pepper. A bit evolved yet still juicy & pure.
Beautiful mouthfeel with nicely evolved, slightly mellowed yet still juicy tannins, evolved fruit yet still fresh acidity.
This is peeking or already has peeked but today is drinking so nicely!
A really nice one! — 2 years ago

Paul H

9.4

When they say bring your A game you can think of this bottle. This is an amazing glass of wine. It benefits from decanting for a good bit. Upon opening I thought of dusty plum and cedar on the nose. Tasting brought plum, currant, blackberries, vintage leather plus an array of other items indicative of this style of big wine. There is a good mix of tannins and acid that makes this a classic great glass of wine. I want to try it again in a few years to see how much better it may get. — 3 years ago

Jake Hajer

9.0

Exotic and fun. — 6 years ago

Scott Soren

9.4

Dry yet succulent. Was quite impressive. — 7 years ago

John Schlechter

9.3

Locorice braised candied cherries desert like distinctive — 9 years ago

Michael Thambuswamy

9.3

At Hakkasan — 12 years ago

Tom Garland

9.3

Happy New Year Delectable!

Double decant and pour. A splendid tawny red color. On the nose: dark fruit, cigar ash, cedar, smoked meat, pencil shavings, mint. Taste: soft, silky, elegant, still fresh wine with dark red fruit, worn leather, graphite, loamy soil, spiced herbs, minty black tea and a dry medium finish. YUM! What a fun wine to end 2024 with. A wine bought at auction, and a cork which was not in the best shape, so not sure if this is a true representation of where this wine is at.

FOOD:
Island creek oyster and cavier
Lobster butternut bisque
Pan roasted duck breast
Braised beef short rib
Black forest chocolate cake — 6 months ago

with Brenda

Sam Friedland

9.0

Raspberries, mild tannins. Went well with NY strip steak — 2 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.6

From a great looking bottle with a fill almost into the neck. Double decanted and left in the bottle for 5 hours before attacking it. Amber color. Good weight and haunting nose. Notes of old cedar, mocha, plums, cola, dark fruit, molasses and some sweet red cherry. Early on it’s all about the amazing nose. But with time the wine gains weight and you have a gorgeous old St Estephe in front of you. Still giving its all, and although the fruit is somewhat faded, this has complexity and structure that still drives the experience. And that nose is simply stunning. Great showing. — 3 years ago

Federico Sequeda

8.9

dark red. nose: leather. prunes. overripe berries. lots of jam. mouth: full body. medium big tannins. more jam and leather on the mouth. drinks like a cab. medium follow through. love it — 4 years ago

Stephen Mandy

9.8

Stunning nose of cedar, tobacco and smoke with a hint of hot gravel. Rich silky fruit with awesome sweetness and freshness. Long lingering finishing that haunts the palate. Incredible. — 6 years ago

Robert Cunningham

Wine Educator DeVinimus, Wine Workshop

9.2

Lovely secondary elements of sweaty saddle leather, cedar and later some cigar box. Soft, integrated tannins. Long finish and very nice nose. — 9 years ago

Jack Krawczyk

10

cedar nose with black currant + plum finish — 6 months ago

Adam Kincaid

8.9

Another oldie, probably just past its peak. 38 years old - not bad! Barn-sided red with some brick on the edge. Lots of cedar, graphite, black pepper and cigar ash to smell but little fruit. Nice smooth tannins, still a little puckering. Medium acidity. For flavor there are some darker berries and red cherry notes. It’s a nicely balanced wine. Good length on the finish. — a year ago

with Jillian

casey Burnett

9.5

Gift from Matt. I really like this. Each time I have it. — 2 years ago

Jack Hasten

9.3

Very nice…
Beach Bistro nice suprise w the wine…
Not familiar prior to tonight (1.29.22) — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.7

Tried this 4 years ago! Deep Ruby with aromas of ripe dark fruits and complex spice. On the palate flavors of ripe concentrated blackberry, cherry and currants, still fresh and vibrant with a great mouthfeel, well balanced. Tannins were soft and full, long finish ending with cigar box spice, cedar and cacao. An elegant wine, developing nicely, great drinking now and will continue to develop through next decade. Wow! — 5 years ago

Ned Gray Creed

9.1

Up against some serious competition tonight. — 8 years ago

with Mark

Robert Waxman

9.3

Nice grapefruit — 10 years ago