Flora Springs Cabernet Sauvignon

Flora Springs Cabernet Sauvignon is a Napa Valley red wine blending estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon with complementary Bordeaux varietals at 14.2% ABV in a 750ml bottle. Awarded 94 points by James Suckling, this multi-appellation Napa Cab draws fruit from sustainably farmed vineyards across three of the valley's most celebrated sub-regions.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.2%  |  Origin: Napa Valley, California  |  Style: Cabernet Sauvignon Blend  |  Winery: Flora Springs

Production & Heritage

Flora Springs Winery sits at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains in the far northwest corner of the Rutherford appellation, in the heart of Napa Valley. The winery sources fruit from sustainably farmed estate vineyards across St. Helena, Rutherford, and Oakville—a multi-appellation approach that layers distinct terroir signatures into a single bottling. Grapes are hand-harvested and cold-soaked for several days prior to fermentation to extract color and flavor concentration. Several lots undergo extended maceration to refine and soften the tannins, and the finished wine ages for 19 months in a combination of French (79%) and American (21%) oak barrels. The blend shifts with each vintage; the 2023 release comprises 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Malbec.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark fruit leads immediately—blackberry, plum, and cassis rise from the glass alongside graphite and cedar. Secondary notes of vanilla and a subtle hint of anise add complexity as the wine opens.

Taste: The entry is rich and warm, filling the palate with black cherry, blackberry preserves, and cassis. At mid-palate, brown butter, praline, and mocha emerge, supported by softly integrated tannins and bright acidity that keep the wine structured. Despite considerable concentration, the overall impression is balanced rather than heavy.

Finish: Medium-to-long, with fine-grained tannins and lingering notes of dark fruit, oak spice, and a trace of vanilla crème. The acidity sustains freshness through the close, inviting another sip.

How to Drink Flora Springs Cab

Poured neat in a large-bowled Bordeaux glass, this wine benefits from 30 to 45 minutes of breathing time to let the tannins relax and the aromatics fully develop. It also holds up beautifully in classic red-wine cocktails. A Cabernet Sangria lets the blackberry and plum notes meld with fresh citrus and stone fruit. A New York Sour substitutes this Cab for the traditional red wine float, where its dark-fruit intensity and bright acidity complement the whiskey base. A simple Kalimotxo (red wine and cola over ice) plays off the wine's vanilla and mocha undertones for a surprisingly refreshing warm-weather drink.

Best For

• A weeknight steak dinner where you want a serious Napa Cab without breaking open a reserve bottle
• Gifting a wine lover who appreciates Rutherford-bench character
• Building a short vertical—the shifting blend percentages across vintages make side-by-side comparisons rewarding
• Hosting a blind tasting of Napa Valley Cabernets from different sub-regions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Flora Springs Cab taste like? It delivers a rich, warm profile dominated by black cherry, blackberry preserves, cassis, and vanilla, layered with mocha and praline notes from oak aging. Bright acidity and integrated tannins provide structure without excessive weight.

How does Flora Springs Cab compare to Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet? Both are multi-vineyard Napa Valley Cabernets, but Flora Springs draws from Rutherford, St. Helena, and Oakville estate fruit and uses a higher proportion of French oak, while Artemis sources broadly across the Stags Leap District and surrounding areas. Flora Springs tends to present a richer, more fruit-forward profile, whereas Artemis is often noted for its silky texture and more restrained tannin structure.

Is Flora Springs Cab good for sipping neat? Yes—its balanced tannins, layered dark-fruit flavors, and bright acidity make it well suited to drinking on its own, especially after a short decant to let it open up.

Where is Flora Springs Cab made? Flora Springs Winery is located at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains in the Rutherford appellation of Napa Valley, California. The estate vineyards span three prized Napa sub-regions: St. Helena, Rutherford, and Oakville.

What foods pair well with Flora Springs Cab? Grilled ribeye steak matches the wine's weight and dark-fruit intensity. Braised short ribs echo its mocha and brown-butter notes. Aged cheddar or Gruyère complement the oak-derived vanilla. Mushroom risotto bridges the earthy graphite character, and dark-chocolate desserts harmonize with the wine's praline and anise undertones.

What sizes does Flora Springs Cab come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Flora Springs Cab worth the price? Flora Springs positions as a mid-tier Napa Valley Cabernet, sitting above everyday California reds but below single-vineyard reserve bottlings. With 94 points from James Suckling and 91 from Wine Spectator, it consistently over-delivers relative to many wines at this level of the market.

Why Flora Springs Cab?

What separates this wine from most Napa Cabernets at its tier is the multi-appellation blending strategy—combining fruit from Rutherford, St. Helena, and Oakville estate vineyards introduces a breadth of flavor that single-source bottlings rarely achieve. The extended cold soak and selective extended maceration give the wine its trademark soft tannin structure without sacrificing depth. A 94-point James Suckling score and 91 from Wine Spectator confirm that this approach translates to the glass. For drinkers seeking a serious, estate-grown Napa Cabernet that rewards both casual weeknight pouring and attentive tasting, Flora Springs delivers substance without pretense.