Winemaker Notes
Already a remarkably seductive wine even at this early stage. Like so many of the 2021 wines, it is graced with a profound aromatic expression. Honeysuckle, lime curd and chamomile. Grapefruit peel and nutmeg. Strong notes of lime zest and wildflower honey on the broad and generous mid-palate. The wine is already so harmonious, but its energy and tension will no doubt carry it beautifully in the cellar for a decade on the path of evolution. Notes of galangal and loquat push with the long and luxurious finish. Everything in its right place with this edition of Flor.
Blend: 85% Sauvignon Blanc, 15% Sémillon
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A complex, layered and age-worthy white that is so tangy, fruity and mineral-rich at the same time. Chalky, citrusy and saline flavors on a medium body. Blended with 15% semillon. Fresh, linear, crunchy and long in the finish. Has a reputation for developing well with time.
Capable of a vast array of styles, Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, refreshing variety that equally reflects both terroir and varietal character. Though it can vary depending on where it is grown, a couple of commonalities always exist—namely, zesty acidity and intense aromatics. This variety is of French provenance. Somm Secret—Along with Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. That green bell pepper aroma that all three varieties share is no coincidence—it comes from a high concentration of pyrazines (herbaceous aromatic compounds) inherent to each member of the family.
Ranging from cool and foggy in the west to warm and dry in the east, the Santa Ynez Valley is a climatically diverse growing area. The most expansive AVA within the larger Santa Barbara County region, Santa Ynez is also home to a wide variety of soil types and geographical features. The appellation is further divided into four distinct sub-AVAs—Sta. Rita Hills, Ballard Canyon, Los Olivos District and Happy Canyon—each with its own defining characteristics.
A wide selection of grapes is planted here—more than sixty different varieties, and counting. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir dominate in the chilly west, while Zinfandel, Rhône blends, and Bordeaux blends rule the arid east. Syrah is successful at both ends of the valley, with a lean and peppery, Old-World sensibility closer to the coast and lush berry fruit further inland.