WTN: '03 Franciscan Bdx blend

We don't use the grill as much in winter, but last night we did, and it was a welcome change. An almost 3" porthouse to split between us, accompanied by an excellent mushroom ragout (dried porcini, fresh French horn, shiitake, and cremini) and creamed chard. Wine was the 2003 Franciscan Magnificat (Napa). OK, this is clearly New World, lush ripe black plum and blackberry fruit. It's not over the top, just proudly warm climate. There is some vanilla, but balanced. This is what I like in Napa, not trying to be Bordeaux, but also not going to extremes. Some graphite and cedar, an herby almost eucalyptus note. Some acidity and tannins- enough to give some backbone, but not enough to make it hard to drink now. A pleasant surprise (though I remembered a couple of positive notes) B+

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.

My wife and I took a wine blending class at Franciscan a couple of years ago in which we were given barrel samples of the blending grapes used for this wine. It was an interesting experience, but I couldn't get past the fact that I enjoyed the parts more than the whole, though I do enjoy this wine, just find it a bit overpriced. We like the straight Cab, and in fact it was this wine many years ago that provided that epiphany moment (we were young) in which we started to realize how good wine could be. Memories...

We don't use the grill as much in winter, but last night we did, and it was a welcome change. An almost 3" porthouse to split between us, accompanied by an excellent mushroom ragout (dried porcini, fresh French horn, shiitake, and cremini) and creamed chard. Wine was the 2003 Franciscan Magnificat (Napa). OK, this is clearly New World, lush ripe black plum and blackberry fruit. It's not over the top, just proudly warm climate. There is some vanilla, but balanced. This is what I like in Napa, not trying to be Bordeaux, but also not going to extremes. Some graphite and cedar, an herby almost eucalyptus note. Some acidity and tannins- enough to give some backbone, but not enough to make it hard to drink now. A pleasant surprise (though I remembered a couple of positive notes) B+

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.

Dale, I opened a bottle of the 95 of this wine a week or so back, and found that one to be much like the '03 that you are reporting on. It didn't sing to me but it did hum a bar or two. I would probably buy a bottle or maybe two of this each year, but I really don't think it is worth the $50 asking price.

This was a gift, I thought it more like a $30 wine, wasn't aware it was $50. Wouldn't look for more at that price, though I enjoyed it