California - Franciscan Estate Winery and Mt. Veeder

The time has come to go back and review the wines I tasted on my trip to California, starting with  Franciscan Estate.  Also in the tasting room were Mt. Veeder wines.  Based on the wines I tasted I would not hesitate to recommend Franciscan or Mt. Veeder wines to customers.

Franciscan 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, 100% Sauvignon Blanc and is oak aged.  A refreshing aroma of grapefruit.  Flavor of grapefruit with a finish of lemon/tartness.  A wonderful mellow flavor compared the bold New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs.  Light body.  Light acidity.  Very nice.   

Winemaker's Notes:  This Sauvignon Blanc begins with aromas of bright lime and white grapefruit, with complex notes of fig, passion fruit, vanilla and honeydew melon. The flavors are vibrant and round with full intense layers of lime zest, mineral, citrus blossom and hints of guava. The finish is refreshingly lively and supple with lingering flavors of lime and melon. 


Franciscan 2006 Magnificat  is a blend of 56% Cabernet, 40% Merlot, 3% Malbec, and 1% Petite Verdot.  Aroma of oak and spice.   Great flavor of cherry and cocoa, with a hint of coffee.  Medium body.  Medium tannins.  Well balanced.  A VERY nice blend. 

Winemaker's Notes:  Appearance - Deep garnet; Aroma - Inviting aromas of dark cherry, sage, and red plums. Complex layers of ripe berries, with undertones of vanilla and cloves.  Flavors - Full‐bodied and textural, with ripe flavors of black plum and cherry, cocoa and cassis. A concentrated, rich palate with round tannins leads to a long finish interwoven with blackberry, anise and mocha.


Franciscan 2006 Stylus Reserve Cabernet  is a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petite Verdot and 4% Malbec. A wonderful and delicious aroma of coffee, chocolate, with a hint of tobacco and oak.  Unfortunately the heavy tannins shut down my palate so the flavor was lost on me. Dave thought it was very good.  Flavors of dark fruit and coffee.  

Winemaker's Notes:  Intense nose of ripe cherries, cassis, chocolate, anise, with subtle notes of sage and tobacco. Layered and rich. Dense and full-bodied with ripe blackberry, black cherry, coffee, and cassis flavors. Richly structured with a supple mouthfeel and velvety tannins, leading to a smooth and elegant finish of mocha and plum.


I HAD to taste Mt. Veeder's 2006 Cabernet Franc. I wanted to  compare it to Virginia Cabernet Francs (which I do not enjoy).  This is a blend of 76% Cabernet Franc, 14% Cabernet, and 10% Merlot; 100% oak aged.  Another wonderful and inviting aroma - black cherry.  Flavor was cherry and earth with a hint of chocolate; mild tannins.  MUCH more enjoyable than Virginia Cabernet Francs. 

Winemaker's Notes:  Deep garnet hue. Vibrant and balanced with an elegant finish of ripe fruit flavors. Ripe black olive, dark cherry, chocolate and earthy notes mingle with bold cassis with a supple, silky texture. Rich with a long, memorable finish.


The wine pourer told me I had to try the Mt. Veeder Reserve Cabernet.  I explained my issue with tannins and she said the 2005 would be perfect for me.  She was so right.  2005 Mt. Veeder Reserve Cabernet is a blend of 76% Cabernet, 17% Merlot, 7% Malbec.  A great inviting aroma of coffee and dark berry.  I wasn't getting fruit on my palate, but more earth and coffee notes.  Nicely balanced.

Winemaker's Notes:  Deep ruby in appearance with rich aromas of mountain fruit, brambly berry, coffee, bay, and cassis fill the nose. Hints of licorice, vanilla and cocoa add to the complexity. The flavor is powerful and dense, with a big, supple mouthfeel carrying deep layers of blackberry, sage, plum and chocolate. Rich and well-structured, with mouth-filling tannins and toasty notes of sweet oak. The full-bodied palate leads to a long complex finish of blackberry, anise, and cocoa. 

Last, I tasted Mt. Veeder 2005 Port which is 100% Petite Syrah.  A very rich aroma and flavor of licorice and spice.  A hint of underlying sweetness.  

Winemaker's Notes:  (Not available) 

I searched Mt. Veeder's website and the internet for notes on this and did  not find anything.  I'm thinking this is winery only and now I'm bummed I didn't purchase a bottle.