Merlot continues to be the best value Napa Valley red wine. The evidence is abundant. The latest release from Flora Springs is a case in point. It is from the very good 2012 vintage and shows excellent complexity, balance and structure at this early stage. The fruit profile of plums and blackberries is classic for Napa Valley Merlot, and it has the stuffing to last, most likely another decade or so. Best of all, it’s $25. In the Napa Valley $25 won’t get you much, but it will get you a damn fine bottle of Merlot.
