N.V. Franciscan Cask 318 Burgundy

Franciscan Estate was founded in 1973 and one of its first owners was Justin Meyer, founder of Silver Oak. Franciscan’s 240-acre vineyard is in Oakville and fruit from that vineyard produced the debut wine, which was the 1975 Cabernet Sauvignon. The estate changed hands several times in the following decades and in 1999 it was purchased by Canandaigua Wines, now known as Constellation Brands Inc. It is the world’s largest publically-traded spirits company and owns more than 100 brands, including beer and liquor producers. Franciscan makes Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and blends.

Rutherford AVA is just north of the Oakville AVA in the heart of Napa Valley, and it is equally distinguished. It is home to Beaulieu Vineyard and inglenook, arguably Napa Valley’s most historically influential wineries. Inglenook started making in wine in the late 19th century, and Beaulieu Vineyards was producing by the first years of the 20th century. BV founder Georges de Latour is particularly esteemed for having recruited Andre Tchelistcheff, a renowned research oenologist, to move from France to Napa Valley in 1938 and run BV’s winemaking. The legendary Tchelistcheff brought European winemaking techniques to Napa Valley and vastly improved wine quality. Other Rutherford winemakers followed his lead. Today there are 5,000 vineyard acres in Rutherford and many acclaimed producers. The famous Silverado Trail with its exclusive, limited production wineries, runs partly through Rutherford AVA. Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignons are characterized by supple tannins, richness, notes of cherry and plum, depth and the ability to age for several decades. Besides Cabernet Sauvignon the AVA also grows Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel. It received its AVA designation in 1994.