No Oscars for Poor, Poor Franciscan Merlot
Do you remember when everyone just loved Merlot? It was THE red wine of choice for years. It was the wine of choice of everyone’s lips for quite a few years in the 1990s. Red wine consumption, in general, increased due to the potential health benefits of wine. The popularity of Merlot stemmed from it softer, fruity profile that it made more approachable to some wine drinkers. Even wine newcomers would rush to order Merlot. Still in the restaurant industry at that time, I had to caution my staff not to laugh when customers would request a bottle of that mer-lot.
Winning Merlot Lead the Way
Of course, merlot was more than just trendy. It was really very good too. Franciscan has its roots deeply embedded in the soil of Napa Valley. Founded over three decades ago, wine industry revolutionaries Raymond Duncan and Justin Meyer, with renowned vintner Agustin Huneeus taking over the reins in 1985, leading the winery to greatness through innovation and a commitment to small-lot winemaking. Merlot was hot! Franciscan Winery was hot! Everyone was loving and drinking both Washington and Napa Valley Merlot. And then, came the movie, Sideways.
The Sideways Curse for Merlot
In 2005, Sideways not only became a commercial hit in an odd quirky way, but also won major motion picture awards and accolades. I will confess that I never could sit through the dern movie. In part, it’s because it IS a guy’s movie. I was also jaded as I was working a restaurant across from an independent theater when it was playing and I got sick and tired of hearing the lines from the movie every single night. People thought it was great fun to see the flick and then come on over and order wine. Merlot, sadly, was the butt of the joke due to this one single line:
Jack: If they want to drink Merlot, we’re drinking Merlot. Miles Raymond: No, if anyone orders Merlot, I’m leaving. I am NOT drinking any <insert curse word> Merlot!
Unfair as it was, that was it. Merlot’s reign had ended and Pinot Noir took its place. Poor Poor Merlot.
Remember How Good Merlot Is!
So, let’s forget that that horrible movie ever existed and try Merlot again. Franciscan Merlot is a beautiful deep ruby red with deeper garnet accents. The nose on the 2005 vintage is complex and layered with wild cherry, vanilla and chocolate, black plum and currants, sage, and peppercorn, and sweet notes of toasty oak. Upon tasting, it is round, full-bodied palate with vibrant dark cherry fruit, sweet herbs.  The 2005 Franciscan has a very silky mouthfeel with full, refined tannins. This red wine is very supple and very elegant. The finely knit tannins highlight the bold fruit and ripe flavors of raspberry and wild cherry. With sweet tobacco, laced with vanilla and white chocolate, it gives a velvety raspberry finish. Overall, besides being one of the nicest Merlots for the price of $17.00, the 2005 Franciscan Napa Valley Merlot does earn its 90 point wine scale rating from Wine News and should dispel any memories you might have of that movie.
