Flora Springs "Trilogy" Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend 2007

The 2007 Trilogy might be called a Napa version of St.-Emilion blended with a Margaux. A harmonious blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot, it offers undeniable elegance as well as lovely black currant and black cherry notes intermixed with hints of cocoa, roasted herbs, cedar, and licorice. This textured, lush, medium to full-bodied, beautifully constructed 2007 can be drunk now or cellared for 15-20 years. Bright ruby-red. Complex nose melds cassis, blackberry, bitter chocolate, cedar, menthol and licorice, with tobacco, loam and leathery nuances emerging with air. Sweet, pliant and expressive, with a bit more stuffing to buffer its firm acidity than the basic Napa Valley cabernet. Finishes nicely broad, with a fine dusting of sweet tannins and subtle leather and game notes. Based on this wine and the 2006 Trilogy, as well as the winery's other very successful '07 cabernets, the 2007 vintage marks a breakthrough to higher quality here. Made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot, this is a good, smooth wine that shows its Napa origins in the ripeness of fruit and classy tannins. Floods the mouth with blackberries and oak. There's a certain sharpness that cuts through the richness and lasts through the finish, which may limit ageability, so drink soon. S.H.

RP: 93 Points ST: 91 Points WE: 91 Points

The 2007 exhibits all of the classic Trilogy attributes with a lovely cassis and cherry bouquet as well as huge black fruit flavors that envelope the palate. The Cabernet exhibits black cherry and dark cocoa character, while the Merlot carries these flavors to the back of the palate for an everlasting finish.