Franciscan Estate Magnificat 2014 | A wine you should always have in your cellar

Every so often, I offer a wine that isn’t exclusive or having a huge sale.  Franciscan Estate Magnificat 2014 is one of those wines that if you don’t already know about it, you should strongly consider adding to your cellar.  Delivering this not to be missed wine is Winemaker Janet Myers.

Wonderful Woman Winemakers

Magnificat is one of the original Meritage blends in California, a wine Franciscan Estate has proudly produced since 1985. Named for J.S. Bach’s masterpiece, it is crafted to be as seamless and harmonious as its musical namesake. Starting with over 200 small lots of red wine, creating Magnificat to showcase Franciscan’s finest Bordeaux blend of the vintage.

Another highly rated Magnificat – be sure to give it time!

TP96 | The royal carmine hue makes this wine look all the statelier. First introduced in 1985, this Meritage blend continues to cast a spell and blends all five Bordeaux grape varieties. Comprising the Franciscan Estate Magnificat 2014 blend is  75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 5% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc.

Most noteworthy, all from lots of the 240-acre Oakville Franciscan Estate vineyard. The wine spent 20 months in oak. While the aromas triggered a mountain forest: sage, jasmine, truffle, and cherry wood.  Enjoy this Franciscan Estate Magnificat 2014 for its fleshy, satiny texture with a firm structure. In addition, layering expressive flavors with cinnamon, lavender, blueberry-boysenberry, and caramel-mocha coffee.

JS91 | A fruit-forward style but not one that’s overdone with plenty of plum and currant character. Full body and a velvety finish. Blend of mostly Cabernet with Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and cabernet franc.

90AG | Black cherry, plum, spice, menthol, licorice, plum, mocha, spice and dark leather all flesh out in the glass. Drink this succulent, expressive Cabernet over the next few years.

About Franciscan Estate

Franciscan Estate is one of Napa Valley’s most venerable wineries, reaching back more than three decades. Franciscan wines take their signature style – rich, vibrant flavors framed by supple tannins – from the ideal climate offered by Napa Valley’s cool, southern half and from the time-honored tradition of small-lot winemaking, blending from hundreds of barrels to craft fine wines that fully express the classic Bordeaux varieties.

Crafting today’s Franciscan’s wines is Winemaker Janet Myers.  Then, coming to Franciscan in August 2003 as associate winemaker after working in the Margaret River region and Beaulieu Vineyard, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and Louis Martini. The winery remains committed to its tradition of small-lot winemaking, with small batches averaging just 150 to 1,500 cases. The image of a hand-operated wine press on Franciscan’s logo and wine labels reflects this small lot approach to winemaking.

Winemaker Janet Myers

While Wine wasn’t Janet’s original path.  So, after interrupting her pursuit of a Ph.D. in Biological Anthropology, she moved to London.   There she lived above a wine shop, often sampling her neighbor’s wares.  As a result, when Janet realized winemaking combined science and agriculture, she enrolled at UC Davis and haven’t looked back.

Her first harvest was at Robert Mondavi Winery in Napa Valley. Notably, after graduating from UC Davis with a master’s in Enology, she interned at Antinori in Chianti, Italy.   Yet, before coming to Franciscan in 2003 as Associate Winemaker, Janet worked in Australia’s Margaret River region.   And at big Cabernet producers Beaulieu, Stag’s Leap, and Louis Martini. Hence, Janet was promoted to Director of Winemaking of Franciscan and Mount Veeder Winery in August 2005.   Most of all, leading the team to new heights ever since.