FRANCISCAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON - 2004

Napa Valley Cabernet from Oakville with 13.5% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark ruby red color with aromas of blackberry, vanilla and toasty/smoked oak. Flavors of plum, black currant, toasted oak, coffee and high notes of black cherry on the mid-palate. Dry, mouth-puckering tannins.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

90 PTS

Built like a Bordeaux. There's enough complexity and mid-palate fruit to keep both Old World and New World fans happy. Attacks the palate upfront where most of the intensity of flavor lives before dissolving into the finish. A solid offering. Retails for around $18 a bottle.