Franciscan Estate Magnificat 2005 Front Label
Franciscan Estate Magnificat 2005 Front Label

Winemaker Notes

Bordeaux blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 2% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc.

Deep garnet in color with enticing aromas of dark cherry and black plum with a dark chocolate background and notes of sage and black tea. Appealing and complex. Elegant, well-structured mouthfeel, with cherries, rich chocolate, black pepper and vibrant plum flavors filling the palate. Very supple, with fine texture and firm structure, giving an immediately approachable richness. The finish is a seamless continuation of fruit and cocoalike tannins.

92 Points

"Dense crimson hue. Complex scents of mocha, black cherry and vanilla. Creamy flavors of raspberry and black cherry with secondary nuances of orange pekoe tea and rum cake. Velvety tannins and layers of raspberry, cherry and sweet tobacco in the unfolding close."
Wine News

Franciscan Estate

Franciscan Estate

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Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.

Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.

SWS179453_2005 Item# 96484