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Wine is as good as life to a man, if it be drunk moderately: what life is then to a man that is without wine? for it was made to make men glad.
—Ecclesiasticus, ch. 38, v. 1
(Our sample bottle was purchased by us at standard retail.)
This is a Falanghina from the Taburno area within the Sannio appellation. According to Ian D'Agata's book Native Wine Grapes of Italy, there are at least two genetically distinct Falanghinas; this one is presumably of the Falanghina Flegrea sort, which reputedly tend to be less complex but more fruity than the Falanghina Beneventana sort.
Ocone "Flora" Falanghina is fermented in stainless steel, and sees no wood. It comes in at 13% alcohol, strong for a white. It does not seem to be widely available—which is weird, considering all the write-ups it gets; prices, where it can be found, run from $19 to $20.
We thought this a very pleasing wine. It showed a medium to full body with mild but sufficient acidity. It is really all about minerality: we found very little fruit or flower in either the nose or the taste, but boy was that minerality there, and it makes for a distinctive, one might even say exciting, wine.
The one drawback is that the flavors are easily dominated by food tastes; this is thus not an especially good choice as a food wine. But as a wine to be drunk on its own, with due attention paid to what one is drinking (that is, not a casual apéritif), it is highly rewarding. Well recommended.
On CellarTracker.
On Wine Searcher's Tasting Notes page.
Of some major wine-review sites:
(2013 vintage), 85 points:
As always, this light to medium-bodied, dry white is flowery and fresh, offering hints of volcanic soils in the background. Well-made and crisp in a lighter style than usual, it is best drunk over the next year.
(2011), 89 points:
The 2011 Falanghina Flora is strikingly beautiful. Jasmine, mint and white peaches flow from this graceful, soft Campanoan wine. The 2011 is pure seduction. All the elements are simply in the right place. Although Falanghina is usually mant to be drunk young, the 2011 has a level of depth that makes me curious to see how it might age. (2010 vintage), 89 points:
The 2010 Falanghina Flora shows even greater aromatic depth and richness than the Coda di Volpe. The Flora seems to float across the palate with layers of white stone fruits, mint, sage, and flowers. It is a textured, compelling Falanghina, and I don't use those words lightly.
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