Wine News:  "Pale garnet hue. Complex scents of wild cherry, vanilla and chocolate with a hint of dust and sweet tobacco. Full, refined tannins and ripe flavors of raspberry and wild cherry. Hints of vanilla and white chocolate in the raspberry-spiked close."  Wine News,  July, 2009

Winery:  "Franciscan’s Merlot grows in the cooler half of Napa Valley, from the winery’s estate in the heart of the Oakville District on south to vineyards in Carneros. These cooler vineyards give more vibrant flavors and denser structure to the wine—two qualities that are critical to growing outstanding Merlot. In the winery, each vineyard block is kept separate through the winemaking process, allowing each lot the time and care necessary to reach its full expression, like a collection of limited release wines. Finally, each small lot is carefully blended to craft Franciscan’s signature style—plush, rich and vibrant, yet with supple tannins and texture.

Appearance:  Deep ruby red intensity with crimson accents.  Aroma:  Complex and layered with black plum and currants, vanilla, sage, and peppercorn, and sweet notes of toasty oak.  Flavors:  Round, full-bodied palate with vibrant dark cherry fruit, sweet herbs and silky mouthfeel. Very supple and elegant, the finely knit tannins highlight bold fruit and sweet tobacco notes, giving a velvety finish."

Wired For Wine: The Franciscan Merlot's full-bodied palate keeps respectable company with hearty meat dishes and full-flavored cheeses. Our first choice if we're cooking is a grilled filet mignon, sprinkle on the blue cheese while it's hot off the grill, and put it next to some garlic mashed potatoes; you won't be disappointed. Equally good options are beef, lamb and veal, especially the chops, done on the grill or roasted in the oven. Mushrooms pair well with this Merlot, and would work with all of these meats. On the lighter meat side, we would happily drink this with roast chicken.  Don't forget the onion wedges in the roasting pan; they make the flavor extra delicious!

Size:  750 ml
Vintage:  2005
Varietal:  100% Merlot
Alcohol:  13.5%
Barrel aging: 14 months in 35% French oak and 65% American oak, 27% new
Region:  Oakville District, Carneros, Napa Valley