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Rob's "Wine of the Week" Archives

So here is my wine review for the week of October 16th, 2006...

Franciscan Magnificat 2003

Description: Located right along Highway 29 as you enter Napa Valley, Franciscan has grown massively in popularity the last few years as many wine drinkers have discovered it. The Magnificat is their red wine blend which had been on an azming streak of greatness until the 2002 vintage which slipped mightily.

How to Get it: It's available at the winery in Napa, Almost always at Sam's Club and Costco, occasionally at Bevmo and on-line.

How Much: Per bottle, the winery wants about $45.

My Thoughts: Another disappointing miss. After years of loving this bottle for its brightness and fullness, a rare combination in a big red, the 2003 Magnificat is almost a mirror of the 2002. Gone still are the vanilla finish, the chocolate/oak body and the lush but subtle berry overtones. Instead, we once again get a tobacco/earth/dirt flavor with a ton of thinness, the type of red wine body that literally gives headaches.

Overall Score: It always sad when great wines go through rough patches but this is more than a little off, this is really just unacceptable, especially for a flagship wine that costs between $30 and $50. 1 vine.

Franciscan Magnificat 2003 =