Flora Springs 2002 Rutherford Hillside Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Review

Flora Springs 2002 Rutherford Hillside Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon was the surprise highlight of an informal Flora Springs tasting, and it ended up being one of those wines that immediately reminds you why great Napa Cabernet can be so memorable.

Flora Springs Rutherford Hillside Reserve 2002 at a Glance

The Surprise Pour That Stole the Tasting

I first tasted the Flora Springs 2002 Rutherford Hillside Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon during an informal Flora Springs wine tasting at the Crosby Golf Course Country Club. The event was mostly attended by golfers and was not some polished media tasting, which honestly made the experience feel even more genuine.

The tasting featured several Flora Springs wines from the 2002 vintage, including the 2002 Trilogy, two Chardonnays, a Merlot, and a Sauvignon Blanc called Soliloquy. I have always had good things to say about Flora Springs, especially their regular bottlings, which are often attractively priced and very reliable.

The real highlight came after I spent about a half hour chatting with the person pouring the wines. Once he realized how much I enjoy quality California Cabernet, he reached under the counter and poured me something from a secret stash that was not part of the official tasting.

That wine turned out to be the Flora Springs 2002 Rutherford Hillside Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, and it was easily the wine of the night.

Elegant, Full-Bodied, and Silky Smooth

This wine had everything I hope for in a premium Napa Cabernet. It was elegant and full-bodied, with wonderful aromatics of crushed plums, blackberries, and a hint of sweet tobacco.

On the palate, it was fruit-forward but not simple. The tannins were abundant, but they were so well integrated that they never felt harsh or distracting. They came across as soft, sweet, and polished, which gave the wine structure without taking away from the pleasure of drinking it.

The finish was long, silky, and smooth. This clearly felt like a wine designed for long-term cellaring, but what impressed me most was how beautifully it was already drinking at the time of the tasting.

This Was Not Just Me Being Impressed

One of the reasons this wine stuck with me is that the reaction was not just my own. My wife, who was sharing my glass, also thought it was excellent. Another couple who attended the tasting with us felt the same way.

Even Chef Luke, the head chef at the Crosby restaurant, happened to walk by while the wine was being poured and got to taste it. The reaction was basically universal: this was a special bottle.

About the Flora Springs Rutherford Hillside Reserve

Flora Springs 2002 Rutherford Hillside Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon comes from estate vineyards on Komes Ranch in the Rutherford area of Napa Valley. Rutherford is one of Napa’s premier Cabernet Sauvignon growing areas, and this wine absolutely tasted like it came from serious Cabernet country.

The wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and was aged for 21 months in 75% new French oak barrels. That oak treatment added polish and structure without overwhelming the fruit.

This is the kind of Napa Cabernet that can deliver immediate pleasure while still having the structure and balance to age.

What I Would Pair With This Wine

This is a Cabernet I would absolutely pair with a great steak. Ribeye would be my first choice because the fat and char would work beautifully with the wine’s structure, dark fruit, oak, and silky tannins.

I would also serve this with filet mignon, prime rib, lamb chops, short ribs, beef tenderloin, or a serious cheese board with aged cheddar, Gouda, Manchego, or other firm cheeses.

Expensive, But Impressive for the Quality

Wines like this are not cheap, and I would never pretend otherwise. But compared with other super-premium California Cabernets, the Flora Springs Rutherford Hillside Reserve felt like it belonged in the conversation.

At the time, I felt it compared favorably with well-known premium Napa Cabernets such as Caymus Special Selection, Opus One, Stag’s Leap Cask 23, Beringer Private Reserve, Silver Oak Napa, Robert Mondavi Reserve, and Stag’s Leap Fay Vineyards.

That is high praise, but this wine earned it. If your budget allows for premium California Cabernet, this is the type of bottle worth trying.

I Liked It Enough to Buy It

It is easy to say nice things about wines you taste for free at an event. The real test is whether you are willing to spend your own money afterward.

After the tasting, my friend and I both ordered a half case each of the regular Flora Springs Napa Cabernet, two bottles each of the Flora Springs Wild Boar 2002 Cabernet, and one bottle each of the Rutherford Hillside Reserve as an indulgent splurge.

If my budget had allowed it, I would have bought more of the Rutherford Hillside Reserve. That probably says more than any tasting note could.

Ratings From the Flora Springs Tasting

Flora Springs 2002 Rutherford Hillside Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Details

4.5 Stars

Flora Springs 2002 Rutherford Hillside Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon earned 4.5 stars because it delivered everything I want from premium Napa Cabernet: beautiful aromatics, full body, polished tannins, rich fruit, a long silky finish, and enough structure to drink now or cellar longer.

Real Wine Reviews From Bottles We Actually Taste

My wine reviews are written from the perspective of an everyday wine drinker. I focus on how the wine tastes, what stood out, whether I would buy it again, and what food I think it pairs with best.

For Flora Springs 2002 Rutherford Hillside Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, the biggest takeaways were the crushed plum and blackberry aromatics, silky tannins, long finish, premium Napa Cabernet structure, and the fact that I liked it enough to buy a bottle after the tasting.