St. Francis

The origins of St. Francis Vineyards began in 1971 when businessman Joe Martin and his wife, Emma, purchased a 100-acre vineyard known as Behler Ranch in the Sonoma Valley town of Kenwood. For several years, the fruit from this vineyard was sold to local wineries. But in 1979, St. Francis Winery was built and the first vintage of St. Francis wines was produced. Tom Mackey took over as wine maker in 1983 helping St. Francis to pioneer a Sonoma Valley style and identify the varieties that were best suited to the soil of the region. Our St. Francis reviews acknowledge that Tom and St. Francis were the first to plant and bottle Merlot within Sonoma and would later add Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel to their portfolio. Our St. Francis ratings distinguish the latter two grape varieties as being the signature wines throughout the St. Francis lines of wine. To see which wines are best suited for you check our St. Francis online wine guide below.

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St. Francis 1999 Anthem Meritage (Sonoma Valley)

Price $65

A big, dark, dense young wine that is flamboyant now, but give it a few years to really stun. As soft as velvet, with huge stuffing of berries, chocolate, herbs, coffee and oak, but carefully balanced. Winemaker Tom Mackey’s first Meritage, an unusual blend dominated by Petit Verdot and Malbec. — S.H. (10/1/2003)

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St. Francis 2001 Reserve Pagani Vineyard Zinfandel (Sonoma Valley)

Price $45

Clearly stands above the competition for its exquisite harmony. Completely dry but totally ripe, with well-developed spicy blackberry and dark chocolate flavors, and wonderfully rich, sweet tannins. So balanced, you don’t notice the 15.6 percent alcohol. Only in California, and a world class wine. — S.H. (11/15/2004)

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St. Francis 2009 Pagani Vineyard Zinfandel (Sonoma Valley)

Online Exclusive

Price $45

The vineyard has been a Zinfandel source to St. Francis, as well as other wineries, for years, but this is St. Francis’s best in a decade. The wine is fantastically concentrated in dried blackberry, blueberry, dark unsweetened chocolate, tobacco and elaborate spice flavors. Defines complexity in Zinfandel, although the very high alcohol will bother some people. — S.H. (3/1/2012)

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St. Francis 1999 Nuns Canyon Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma Valley)

Price $45

This is a very good wine, but a young one. It tastes immature now, with its brash, dusty tannins that hide the underlying plum, currant and herb flavors. Even with the softness of its acids, it calls for time in the cellar to open up its hidden treasures. Try after 2005. — S.H. (11/15/2003)

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St. Francis 2001 Nuns Canyon Vineyard Syrah (Sonoma Valley)

Price $35

An interesting wine that flirts with greatness. It’s obviously pedigreed, with a very fine balance of strong tannins, acidity and plummy, blackberry fruit, and has been well-oaked. It’s a bit of a brute now, lurching about the mouth with a tough grittiness, but the finish is spectacularly long and sweet. Now through 2010. — S.H. (12/1/2004)

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St. Francis 1999 Pagani Vineyard Reserve Zinfandel (Sonoma Valley)

Price $44

Gleams with a wickedly purple intensity, and startles by the sheer size. Huge, jammy scents of blackberries, cherries and blueberries are lifted by charry, smoky oak, while the flavors are enormous and extracted. Balanced, harmonious. —S.H. — S.H. (9/1/2002)

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St. Francis 2000 Anthem Meritage (Sonoma Valley)

Price $55

A blend of all five Bordeaux varieties, this wine is soft, and flatters with its polished flavors and fine veneer of oak. The flavors shift from blackberries and cherries to sweet herbs and back again, and finish with a kick of tannin. Very drinkable now, and should improve for a few years. — S.H. (10/1/2004)

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St. Francis 2001 Port (Sonoma County)

Price $25

This interesting California version of a Port is rich, balanced and inviting. It features an array of creme de cassis, chocolate fudge, vanilla and spice flavors wrapped in a velvety texture. Refreshing acidity cuts through the sweetness. Cab Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel and Alicante Bouschet. — S.H. (12/1/2004)

Most Reviewed Designations

Amann Vineyard Old Vines Anthem Behler Reserve Claret Montecillo Vineyard Kaarin's Terrace Nuns Canyon Reserve Old Vines Pagani Vineyard Reserve Red Reserve Reserve Pagani Vineyard

Most Reviewed Varietals

Bordeaux-style Red Blend Cabernet Sauvignon Chardonnay Claret Meritage Merlot Port Red Blend Rosé Syrah White Blend Zinfandel

2010 Stival

Here’s an easy and bright Cabernet that would wash down with spaghetti…

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