2008 Franciscan Estate Magnificat Meritage
2008 Franciscan Estate Magnificat Meritage, Napa Valley
$50 at the winery website (tasted January 30, 2013)
This is what I call a sipping (or nibbling) wine. It takes me a few days to drink a wine like this because of its richness and size. Josh Stein of Stein Family Wines described wines like this as a “wine-as-food.” I love the velvety mouthfeel, teeth-coating tannins, and chewy, lush berry and cocoa flavors. Good enough to eat.
2010 Trentadue Winery La Storia Cuvée 32
2010 Trentadue Winery La Storia Cuvée 32
$32 at the winery website (tasted February 1, 2013)
I can’t do this bottle justice with my own camera, so I snagged the pic from the winery’s website. This Sangiovese-based, Sonoma County, Super Tuscan-like blend possesses a nice balance of acidity, tannins, and blueberry-cranberry-cherry flavors. It’s food friendly and pairs well with pizza and other Italian dishes.
2011 Gorman Winery Big Sissy Chardonnay
Gorman Winery 2011 Big Sissy Chardonnay, Connor Lee Vineyard, Columbia Valley, Washington
$35 at the winery website (tasted February 6, 2013)
This is one of the least sissy wines I’ve ever had. It’s fermented in 100% new French oak with 100% malolactic fermentation (ML) and has 14.3% alcohol. This Chardonnnay retains complex, layered fruit flavors in harmony with with rich oak flavors and a creamy mouthfeel that lingers for a long finish.
You gotta love Franciscan — well, at least we do!
All the best,
Nannette
Oh, yes. Super delish. Thanks, Nannette
I love your “WIYG: series – brilliant!!! Great little blurbs about wine! BTW – we need to talk about my wine bar. I may need some volunteer labor – but more importantly, would love for you to come hang out with me while we get everything ready to open. We have decided to open in Bluffton, SC (just outside of Hilton Head).
oh, one other thing, I am reviewing a bottle of Franciscan Cab they sent me a couple of weeks ago. You will have to check it out!
You had me at Hilton Head. Ha ha. Let me know the dates and I can see if I am at least available for your opening. I look forward to hearing about the Cab Sauv. The Meritage was amazing, really.