| 95 - 100 / WORLD CLASS: A very complex wine that is almost perfect in every respect. Very few wines ever achieve this height and are worthy of a dedicated, perservering search. 90 - 94 / OUTSTANDING: A complex, rich expansive wine with complexity, texture and style that sets it apart, well worth a diligent search. 85 - 89 / EXCEPTIONAL: A wine with some complexity, depth and structure; generally a highly recommended wine. 75 - 84 / VERY GOOD: A clean, fresh wine with some special attributes; a recommended wine. 70 - 74 / GOOD: A technically correct wine with no noticeable flaws. |
The 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon, Eisele Vineyard, Napa Valley has a exotic nose of blackberry, black cherry, cocoa, truffle, mint, violets and coffee. The flavors of ollieberry, blackberry, cherry, currant, chocolate and mint are very intense and complex followed by a long, lingering, fruity, supple finish. Fabulous! (95)
The 1996 Syrah, Eisele Vineyard, Napa Valley has a bright, intensely perfumed nose of blackberry, black cherry, root beer, cedar, violets and underbrush spice. The flavors of blackberries, black pit fruits, roasted meats, licorice, mint, cocoa and spicy oak are very rich, complex and expansive followed by a fabulous lush, fruity finish. (95)
The 1998 Sauvignon Blanc, Eisele Vineyard, Napa Valley has a lush perfumed nose of tropical fruits, peach skin, pear, fig and citrus blossom. The flavors of mango, lemons, pear, coconuts and tangerine are very bright and forward followed by a very fruity, expansive finish. Another winner! (91)
The 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley (78% Cab S., 15% Merlot, 5% Cab Franc, 2% Syrah) has a captivating bouquet of blackberry, fresh plums, cassis, cigar box, violets, cocoa and spicy vanilla. The flavors of plums, berries, toffee, chocolate, mint and spicy oak are balanced with good texture followed by an expansive, fruity, chocolate etched finish. (90)
The 1996 Chardonnay, "Reserve", Napa Valley has a lively perfumed nose of pineapple, melon, citrus, apple, pear and coconut. The flavors of tropical fruits, melon, apple and spicy, toasty, sweet oak are lush and flavorful followed by a fruity, citrus etched finish. (91)
The 1998 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley has a bright bouquet and flavors of apple, melon, pear, lime, banana and spice. The flavors are round, crisp and flavorful followed by a fruity, spicy, melon etched finish. (88)
Flora Springs has on going barrel experimentation programs to increase the excellence of their wines. For this years experimental lots they purchased oak from six different forests in France, as well as six different parts of America, and barrels from Latvia, Russia, and Hungary. During the decade of the 80's, Flora Springs produced 2/3 white wines and 1/3 red. Over the past decade they have reversed that ratio and now favor reds, with great success as you'll see from the following review of their outstanding 1997 Merlot.
The 1997 Merlot, Napa Valley has a lovely perfumed bouquet of boysenberry, ollieberry, olive, dry citrus zest, violets, cherry and cocoa. The flavors of layered berries, cherries, cassis, spice and mint with faint dusty notes are very complex with exquisite balance followed by a fruity finish that lingers on and on. (92)
The 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon "St. Rutherford Vineyard, Napa Valley has a lovely perfumed nose of blackberry, black cherry, cassis, chocolate, coffee, cedar and spice. The flavors of cherries, berries, plums, chocolate, mint, toast and faint dusty notes are round and complex followed by a fruity, chocolate and mint etched finish. (90)
The 1998 Chardonnay, Napa Valley (Estate Bottled) has a lovely seductive nose of pineapple, lemon/lime, apple, pear and nectarine with a hint of vanilla. The flavors of apples, pineapple, mango, banana and citrus are balanced with very good texture followed by a lush, fruity finish. (88)
Grape growers Tim Murphy and Dale Goode teamed with wine marketer Dave Ready to establish Murphy-Goode in 1985. Christina Benz became winemaker in 1987. Murphy-Goode has been producing Zinfandel since 1993. Prior to that all wines were produced with estate grown fruit.
The 1997 Zinfandel, "Liar's Dice", Sonoma County has a perfumed nose of bramble berry, pie cherry, fruity plum, cocoa, tobacco with hint of roses and coffee. The flavors of blackberry, raspberry, ripe strawberry, cola and spice are balanced with good depth and texture followed by a bright, fruity, expansive, spicy finish. (90)
The two outstanding wines reviewed below carry on in Lane Tanner's tradition. She produced 460 cases of the 1998 Syrah, French Camp Vineyards and 450 cases of the Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley.
The 1998 Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley has a perfumed nose of red cherries, cassis, raspberry, cola, roses and strawberry with a hint of sandalwood. The flavors of cherries, berries, smoke, spice, pepper and minerals are very well balanced with exceptional texture followed by a very lush, fruity finish. Delicious! (93)
The 1998 Syrah, French Camp Vineyard, San Luis Obispo County has a perfumed nose of blackberry, boysenberry, blueberry, dry citrus zest, roasted hazelnut and tarragon with hints of pepper and cedar. The flavors of berries, green tea, toast, mint and clove are very concentrated with fabulous depth and structure followed by a long, fruity, sappy, expansive finish. (91)
The 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley is very dark ruby with a perfumed bouquet of boysenberry, raspberry, blackberry, dry orange zest, roses and lead pencil. On the palate the berry and spice driven fruit flavors are lush and exotic with exceptional depth and texture followed by a long, lingering, fruity, toasty finish. Delicious! (94)