St. Francis Claret Sonoma County Red Bordeaux Blend 750ml St. Francis

Description

Claret is the traditional British term for Bordeaux, and this wine is made up of the classic red varieties of the region: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. This blend changes with each vintage. Each variety is fermented separately and lots are kept separate for oak maturation, until blending takes place six months before bottling.TASTING NOTEDisplays aromas and flavors of currants, red and black berries and spice in a full-bodied wine with a velvety mouthfeel.FOOD PAIRINGAn excellent companion to roast beef, lamb, duck and aged cheeses.POINTS OF DISTINCTIONA classic claret (Bordeaux) blend of up to five different grapesMatured for 24 months in oak barrels for a complex flavor

Features

Sustainable

Producer Description

POINTS OF DISTINCTIONSt. Francis Winery has created hand-crafted wines from Sonoma County’s best appellations for more than 30 years.A pioneer in helping to define the vineyards and grape varieties Sonoma is known for today; first to plant Merlot in Sonoma ValleyA regional leader in green practices, including initiatives in recycled packaging and water and energy conservationOwners of over 415 acres of vineyard land in prime AVAs including Sonoma and Russian River ValleysFruit-forward, luscious and well-balanced wines made from 100% handpicked fruitSt. Francis wines are food-friendly and ready to drinkTHE FOUNDINGIn 1971, businessman Joe Martin and his wife, Emma, purchased a 100-acre vineyard known as Behler Ranch in the Sonoma Valley town of Kenwood. The fruit from this vineyard was sold to area wineries until 1979, when a winery was built to produce estate-bottled wine. St. Francis Winery was named after St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and protector of the natural world.DEFINING SONOMAAt the time when St. Francis Winery was beginning to bottle its own wine, there were only a handful of wineries in Sonoma and the region was searching for an identity. The arrival of winemaker Tom Mackey in 1983 was the beginning of important growth at St. Francis and in Sonoma, as he and St. Francis helped to pioneer a Sonoma Valley style and pinpoint the varieties that were ideally suited to Sonoma soils. St. Francis was the first in the region to plant and bottle Merlot, and soon introduced Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel wines to the portfolio. The winery’s first “Old Vines” Zinfandel was released in 1989, establishing one of its star varietal offerings and contributing to Sonoma County’s growing reputation for top-quality Zinfandel. Today, a team of winemakers, including Christopher Louton and Katie Madigan, play an integral role in continuing St. Francis’ success.