Flora Springs, Napa Valley (California) 2016

 This is the flagship wine from the Komes-Garvey family that owns Flora Springs.  It was among the first proprietary Bordeaux-style blends produced in the United States and arguably has long been among the best.  Yet it remains a bargain, maybe even a steal, at today’s price of less than $100 a bottle.  Rivals that came along at about the same time retail at far higher prices.  This vintage is Cabernet Sauvignon dominant, with Petit Verdot and Malbec fleshing out the “trilogy” blend.  Beautifully structured and precise, it offers plush, ripe dark fruits, exquisite tannins and hints of mocha and oak vanillin on the finish.  A stunning wine at a stunning price (relative to similar blends from the Napa Valley) that can be consumed now or cellared for another 15 to 20 years.