New Releases From Napa’s Flora Springs: Trilogy and Cabernet Sauvignon

Today we are sipping red wines from Napa Valley made by Flora Springs. Both wines are a celebration of quality winemaking, Cabernet Sauvignon and family. We received both wines as tasting samples.

From the very beginning Flora Springs has been a family operation. Flora and Jerry Komes purchased the abandoned winery, originally built between 1885 and 1900 at the foot of the Mayacamas mountain range near St. Helena, in 1977. Their children and their spouses, John and Carrie Komes and Julie and Pat Garvey, quickly expanded the operation from growing and selling grapes to also making wine. 

In early 2020 Flora Springs announced the sale of the stone winery, 58 acres of vineyard, office and home on the property to Florence and Daniel Cathiard, owners of Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte. The Komes and Garvey families have retained the Flora Springs name, the tasting room and their other vineyards throughout Napa Valley.

2018 Flora Springs Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley — dark ruby with aromas plums, blackberries and earth. Flavors lead with blackberries and raspberries supported by dried thyme and baking spices. Lively acidity keeps the flavors lifted and all are supported by gauzy tannins. 14.2% abv. SRP$50

Dark fruit flavors predominate with red fruit in the background, lively acidity and an intriguing note of dried herbs. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from the Komes Vineyard in Rutherford and the Crossroads Vineyard in Oakville. All lots were aged in a combination of 70% French and 30% American oak barrels for 18 months, but several lots underwent extended maceration.

2018 Flora Springs Trilogy, Napa Valley — dark ruby in the glass with raspberry, blackberry and crushed flower stem aromas. Flavors include raspberries, blackberries and blueberries with baking spices. Lively acidity keeps the flavors light on their feet. Tannins are gauzy. 14.4% abv. SRP $85

Flavors are more layered and tend more toward red fruit with bright acidity that is so appealing. Flora Springs Trilogy is the winery’s flagship red wine and is a blend of the best lots from all estate vineyards throughout Napa. The 2018 blend, 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec, 9% Petit Verdot, was aged for 18 months in 80% French and 20% American oak.

These wines have a bright acidity in common and pleasant gauzy tannins. Both have plenty of flavor without being over ripe, over extracted or tasting overly alcoholic. In short, both wines are made to pair with a meal. They taste delicious now, and the winery suggests the drinking window extends through 2035 for the Cabernet Sauvignon and 2033 for the Trilogy. Enjoy these wines now or enjoy them later.

Thanks to Mora Cronin of Cronin Communications for organizing this tasting.

Cheers