Flora Springs 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Wild Boar Vineyard
This entry was posted on 2/16/2006 8:25 PM and is filed under California Cabernets.
As you can tell from my posting on the regular Flora Springs Cab, I really like this winery. I like it's single vineyard and reserve bottlings even more. I have had the Hillside reserve and love it, and recently have been turned on to the Wild Boar Vineyard cabernet. It is from the Pope Valley section of Napa, which you don't see in the markety place much.
Wild Boar is a fitting name for this wine. It is a powerful California beast, packed with dense aromatics, and a palate bursting attack. Crushed black fruits, tar, and pipe tobacco on the nose, followed by a ton of fruit backed up with a boat load of tannin. The wine drinks well now, but was harsh immediately upon release a few years ago. The Boar must be tamed! This is good wine, and worth the investment, but I would recommend that if anyone buys the new bottlings on release, you should let it rest at least a year or two to get maximum enjoyment. Once the boar has simmered down, it becomes a delightful little piggy. I'm torn whether to give this 3.75 or 4 stars. Is there a rule that prohibts me from giving it a 3.999? It's my website, so why not?! I got mine at Stumps Village Market in Rancho Santa Fe, and have also picked up other vintages at auction for a pretty good discount to the regular price.
3.999 stars
VinoCritic.com