Winter has arrived in Oakville. The cold nighttime temperatures and the wind have caused the last of the leaves to fall. The shoots that grow each year and carry the leaves and the fruit, have turned from green sap-filled shoots to brown wood canes. The vines are now dormant, literally asleep. They will remain dormant, with almost no metabolic activity, until the average daily temperature goes above 52ºF (11ºC) next spring.
Winter is not too harsh in Oakville. Napa Valley's climate is strongly influenced by the moderating effect of the Pacific Ocean. In the summer, of course, ocean breezes provide the air-conditioning that keeps the temperatures ideal for growing grapes. In the winter the ocean influence moderates the cold, so we do not get extremely low temperatures: back in 1932, Oakville had a record low of 11ºF (-12ºC). We have had several frosty nights this year, and temperatures have been down to 28ºF (-2ºC). But in the day time, temperatures often swing back up by 30 degrees (17 degrees C).
Winter is also the rainy season here. Oakville has an average of 35 inches (890mm) a year with over 90% of our annual rainfall coming in the six months from October to March. Last weekend a storm brought 4 inches (102mm), with 3 inches on Sunday alone.

Franciscan's Oakville estate vineyard, sits in the center of the Napa Valley, and provides the core of Magnificat. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot are all grown, and provide rich, finely structured components to the blend. Just as Bach's monumental choral work, the Magnificat, calls for five soloists, Franciscan's Magnificat can call on these five red Meritage varieties (although only the 1998 and the 2000 vintages have in fact used all five).
The art of Magnificat is the art of blending. Each parcel of wine is tasted and assessed, not just for quality, but for how it will work in the blend. At the end of its barrel aging, each component will be chosen for its ability to magnify the blend.

At this time of year there is a lot of tasting going on in the winery. The last of the 2005 red wine finished its post-fermentation maceration and was drained and pressed a little over a week ago. Every lot of new wine from the meritage varieties is now tasted, and preliminary quality assessments are made. The best wines will be identified and reserved for potential inclusion in the 2005 Magnificat.

The 2003 'reserve quality' lots have been aging in barrel for almost two years. Those wines are now being sampled and assessed. The assemblage, or blend, for the 2003 Magnificat is now being put together, ready for bottling early next year.

The wine destined for the 2004 Magnificat is maturing peacefully in the cellar, and will not be blended for another year.
Blending time provides a great opportunity to do retrospective vertical tastings, so that the winemaking team can see how previous vintages have evolved. Tasting back to 1995, each vintage is still drinking deliciously, reflecting the different characteristics of the growing seasons, and evolving into mature wines.
The 2002 is showing excellently, a classic Magnificat and a great example of the vintage: full, forward, black fruit characters, with a lush, smooth flow in the palate, and Magnificat's signature silky tannins.

Bach composed his Magnificat specifically for Christmas Day. Franciscan Oakville Estate Magnificat is great for any day, but the holiday season seems like a great time to enjoy this exuberant wine.

Happy Holidays!

Mark de Vere, Master of Wine

December 20 th 2005

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