January 11, 2020 - Holly cow, it’s good. Still a beautiful color, lively fruit, and mild tannins. Using the Coravin on this puppy. Cork did seem very soft as I punched through. Handle with care!
December 8, 2018 - Drank a 750ml bottle in December, 2018. Wonderful vintage Franciscan Estate wine. Still has a very long tannic gripping finish and does not taste like it has gone downhill yet. If you have this now I would say drink asap though. This is my 4th 15+ old bottle from Franciscan and while the wine seamed efficiently sealed from outside air in this 2003 the cork was very weak and kind of broke in the middle as I was pulling it out. The other vintage FE wines I drank were from 1995 and that cork was even further gone where the wine did not taste as good anymore.
January 12, 2018 - Can a wine be 100? This is truly a magnificent bottle to me. The recommended Hold to Drink is 2006-2011 for the bottle of 2003. I consumed it on March 2016. It was the most appropriate and comfortable to enjoy it at home. I poured the wine into a decanter slowly and steady to let it breath in the decanter for several hours while I am cooking a braised oxtail in another red wine. I was rewarded with the effort. The color is an old brick color showing it's age. The character is very classy. Cocoa Smokey like a Cigar. I loved the long finish. So happy until I grabbed an empty decanter. This is a memorable bottle.
January 11, 2017 - Crimson color. Medium to full body with medium tannins and good legs. Nose is delightful with deep currant/blackberry and medium alcohol notes. Moderate sediment. Nice long finish. Very, very good, in my opinion.
December 25, 2016 - Enjoyed as a 3L with others for Christmas.
Poured into a decanter for the sole purpose of removing sediment, beautiful color of aged wine that was beginning to lose color. Lighter body color for a meritage, calm floral nose of well intergrated fruit, oak, alcohol.
Subtle fruit on the front as each of the varietals came together without any single one being dominant.
Mature finish as the petit verdot did its job and retained just enough tannin to provide an elegant finish. Gonna miss this behemoth.
December 25, 2014 - Great times with this beast. Still full bodied and robust!
September 15, 2012 - needed an hour to open up, but great aged blend with plenty of fruit and earth
December 31, 2011 - Drinking perfectly right now even though it's at the end of the drinking window. Vibrant, rich dark fruits, full mouth feel and a smooth but long finish. A beautiful red blend.
May 8, 2011 - Drinking great. If you still have some you will enjoy it.
February 27, 2011 - Drinking very well.