2005 Franciscan Cabernet Napa Valley

Old reliable.

Franciscan has occupied the ranks of dependable cornerstones of Napa winemaking for many years. Occasionally brilliant, consistently solid, and, until recently, never disappointing, Franciscan's line up is consistently good from top to bottom. Their Cabernet has always been a text book example of what Napa Cabernet.

The 2005 is a very nice, polished, and smooth Cabernet.  You're not getting anything off the charts or unusual here, but when Napa Cab is done well, you don't need to.  Ready to drink now, but with the stuff to improve with another 5-10, this is a vintage worth seeking out.  And there's still some out there.

The 2006 vintage of this same wine was very closed and not nearly as accessible.  In a recent tasting, the 2006 faded into the background against other Napa Cabernets of the same vintage.  So, it's worth the
search.

We paid a net of $18.33 with the rebate program, though it's normally listed at $24.99 and we've seen it as high as $29.99. 

Rating: Text book Napa Cab, though nothing outrageous. Low risk, pleasant drinking.  Skip the 2006.